A Reading Intervention Model for Fundacion Educacion Y Cooperacion (Educo) Recipient Schools in Bicol Region

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Education recognized the significance of reading proficiency as an important building block in learning. They placed it as one of its priority programs. A reading program reflects the continuing engagement of Fundacion Educacion Y Cooperacion or EDUCO partner communities in improving children's literacy. EDUCO is a global development NGO present in the region of Bicol since 2005. This reading program is carried out among the two hundred twenty-three (223) partner schools in Bicol Region from SY 2012-2013 to SY 2015-2016. Total number of beneficiaries include 85,838 pupils and 2,448 teachers in four partner Department of Education Divisions of Albay, Camarines Sur, Ligao City and Sorsogon. They are roughly 10% of the total pupil and teacher population in the Bicol Region.

METHODS

In this study, descriptive-evaluative method was employed in determining the best practices in reading among EDUCO recipient schools in the Division of Albay, Camarines Sur, Ligao City, and Sorsogon.

RESULTS

The study yielded the following salient findings: 1) on the best practices in reading among EDUCO recipient schools, Camarines Sur Division, Sorsogon and Albay has the highest rating with verbal interpretation of very much effective on their school-based and community-based implementation of Best Reading Practices while Ligao got much effective rating for their Reading Practices in school; 2) on the impact of the best reading practices to the reading proficiency level of the recipients based from the PHIL-IRI test results, there was a 1,187 decrease among the non-readers; a decrease of 2,073 from the frustration level, an increase of 1,213 in the instructional level and an increase of 2,047 pupils who became independent readers; 3) The Reading Intervention Model was developed based from the findings of the study called BRIDGES-Best Reading Interventions Designed for Growth of Every School.

DISCUSSIONS

There are wide variety of best practices in reading among EDUCO recipient schools in Camarines Sur Division, Sorsogon Province Division, and Division of Albay which can be adapted by other schools for improvement of the reading proficiency level of the pupils. The Reading Intervention Model contains a reading program plan and activities for the entire year using the best practices that will help schools to develop their own reading program and great reading innovations applicable in their school. The support of EDUCO enables recipient schools to create innovative activities in reading.