Assessment of the Reading Performance of Grade Ito Vi Pupils at Ibaan District: Basis for Project Stars (Strengthening the Afternoon Reading Session)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Learning English is a basic skill necessary for attaining success in other areas that require English as a medium of instruction, leading to a lifetime pursuit of learning, developing critical thinking and enjoyment. The ability to read, therefore, is the fundamental goal and, at the same time, the basic tool of education. This study aimed to assess and analyze the proficiency of the students in public elementary in the district of Ibaan, Batangas based on the result of the first to the third wave of District Reading Assessment. It also aimed to suggest reading interventions, uplifting the reading performances of the pupils by strengthening the afternoon reading sessions.

METHODS

This study used the quantitative method to assess the improvement of the pupils from the pre-reading down to mid-year and post-assessment stage. The primary tools of this study are the pre, mid and post-reading results and the reading materials used by the district reading assessors. There were 16 school heads who acted as reading assessors from the first wave to the third wave of reading test to 5485 Grade I to VI pupils of Ibaan District.

RESULTS

The study revealed that from 5485 pupils who took the reading test, there were still 219 pupils (3.99%) categorized as non-readers. Most of the problems encountered by the reading test administrators to the pupils were the inability to identify the sounds of the letters, unfamiliarity with the basic sights words, hesitation to read, and repetition of beginning syllable of the words, omission, and insertion of words.

DISCUSSIONS

The results demonstrate the needs to strengthen the project STARS-Strengthening The Afternoon Reading Session -through varied reading interventions. With the different reading interventions conducted with the parents’ and teachers’ collaboration, the reading level of the pupils belonging to the non-reader category will be improved and elevated to reader stage.