Assessment of Reading Levels of Grade 7 Students in Anilao National High School: Basis for "Project TLC (Teaching, Learning, Caring) for Globally Competitive Readers

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

It is said that one's ability in reading has always been used as a barometer to determine how functionally literate a person is. Proficiency in reading leads to a better academic performance because it gives a clear venue to express oneself, understand things, and draw deeper implications. On the other hand, it is disappointing to note that this is not evident to all high school students including the Grade seven students of Anilao National High School. This concern calls for an attention not only for the language teachers themselves but for the whole school as well. Effective and appropriate strategies need to be determined to enrich the students' vocabulary& improve their comprehension skills. This can be realized through the collaborative effort of the English/ Filipino teachers, students, parents, homeroom teachers, community and other stakeholders, and the school head.

METHODS

The quantitative analysis of the reading assessment results conducted among 159 Grade 7 students was utilized in this study. Their accuracy in word recognition and reading comprehension skills were tested to determine their reading level. The administration of the questionnaire also served as a tool in gathering data.

RESULTS

The findings revealed that out of 159 Grade 7 students, 97 students were in Grade 4 reading level (19 Independent readers, 25 instructional readers, 53 frustration readers) and 62 students fell on Grade 5 reading level (3 Independent readers, 17 instructional readers, 42 frustration readers) using the English text while 106 students belonged to Grade 4 reading level (15 Independent readers, 30 instructional readers, 61 frustration readers) and 53 students were in grade 5 reading level only (18 Independent readers, 10 instructional readers, 25 frustration readers) using the PHIL IRI Filipino text. Results also showed that majority of the students found difficulties in word perception and in making judgment.

DISCUSSIONS

Students' difficulty in word perception and in making judgment interferes with their ability to comprehend the text. The findings also demonstrate that majority were identified as struggling readers. Thus, the results prompt the need to implement an intensive reading program which was structured as a school-based approach to strengthen students' English reading skills and comprehension. Likewise, it was designed to address teachers' strategies/ activities in improving students' English reading fluency and comprehension skills.