Project READ (Reading Enhancement Action Drive): Basis for Strengthening School-Based Reading Program

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The results of the National Achievement Test revealed a low performance in the English subject among high school students. It is obvious that English reading comprehension level of students is deteriorating. Most of the students have difficulties in understanding written English. The Division Individual Reading Inventory Test Result in June 2016 showed that 64 out 657 Grade 10 students were classified as Non-Readers. Thus, this study aims to assess the reading comprehension skills in English of Grade 10 junior high school students of Dr. Juan A. Pastor MNHS, Talaibon, Ibaan, Batangas to determine & craft an action plan to strengthen the existing school-based reading program.

METHODS

The researcher used the Descriptive Method wherein 100 Grade 10 students were the respondents in this research. A questionnaire was used to get necessary data and information on reading comprehension skills in the English language.

RESULTS

The data confirms that students find it hard to gain their comprehension skills in English. Likewise, students are not well attentive, instead they do so many things that trigger them not to understand the lesson in English. This also implies that students have a hard time in reading selections and sometimes it's hard for them to pronounce or read the words correctly. The critical thinking of students’ needs to be developed to enhance their ability to comprehend what they read. Metacognitive strategies can improve the reading comprehension of the students which explain that reading comprehension is heritable with modest amount of shared environmental influences as evident in using the mother tongue at home for their communication. Students also have more interest in different activities than to read. They participate more on activities that do not require more reading skills since they believe that they are too old to follow the different suggestions regarding their skills in reading.

DISCUSSIONS

Students should be oriented on the importance of reading as part of their learning through continuous reading activities that will enhance and focus their attention in the content of the reading material regardless of their gender and age. A common reading program should be prepared by the teachers to continuously track the improvement of students who have difficulty in reading comprehension. Lastly, students should be provided with materials suited to their level and gradually increase the difficulty for the students to be able to acquire the skills in reading comprehension.