Supplementary Reading Materials for Learners with Special Educational Needs (Srm for Lsen's)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

This study is an assessment of the reading level of the learner with Special Educational Needs of Grade 7 Students of Buhi SPED Integrated School using Philippine Reading Inventory (PhilIRI). This study aims at the development of supplementary reading materials that will address individual needs inreading, specifically the grade 7 students of Buhi SPED Integrated School.

METHODS

The descriptive survey method was used. The assessment test was utilized in gathering data. The group screening test and individual reading test was conducted to identify the reading level both in English and Filipino of grade 7 students. The test followed the given instruction in administering the test and how it is being rated. The Phil-IRI reading test uses predetermined set of criteria in identifying the reading level of each student for each passage. These criteria included the percentage of word recognition accuracy and the percentage of correct answers to comprehension questions (adapted from Johnson, Kress and Pikulski, 1987).

RESULTS

The materials intended for grade 7 is very high for the current level of reading of the students of grade 7. Based from the instructions, if the child's raw score in the Group Screening Test is 0-7, he/ she must be given a passage that is 3 grade level below his current level. From the total number of Grade 7 who took the Group Screening Test (GST) in English, only 0 out of 39 or 0% got equal to or greater than 14 and will undergo the usual enrichment /enhancement activities while 39 out of 39 or 100 % will take individually administeredPhil-IRI passages. It could be noted that most of the learners got 40.7 % in literal as the highest, 23.5 % in inferential and 11.43 % in critical being the lowest among the learners responses to the type of questions in the test.

DISCUSSIONS

The results demonstrate the need for innovations of materials that will help develop and improve the skills in reading of the grade 7 learner with special educational needs. Learning using higher approach and level will only lead to a non-learning environment. Assessment is always the very first step in designing instructional or supplementary materials. A supplementary reading material is proposed for an effective reading environment to happen.