Knacks on Knock-ons: Effects of Reading Comprehension on Academic Performance of Grade 11 Students in Balele Integrated High School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Reading proficiency is often the determinant of successful academic performance in most subjects in school. With the continuous innovation done by educational practitioners and experts as prescribed by the new curriculum, 21st-century learners are expected to possess not only various subject skills but also higher reading ability. From the latest results of the Reading Test administered to 30 Grade 11 students in Balele Integrated High School, it can be implied that most of them are experiencing difficulties in different learning areas. In this study, the researcher examined the connection of low academic performance of students to their level of reading comprehension skills resulted from the lack of reading habits and practices.

METHODS

Initially, the researcher considered the use of Phil-IRI Screening Test in assessing the level of reading comprehension of students. Primary data has been collected through a questionnaire (Reading Habits questionnaire) on a five-point Likert Scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). A total of 36 questionnaires were distributed to students, out of which 30 (83%) questionnaires were received. In addition, through SPSS tool, Pearson-r is used to determine the significant relationships between students' reading comprehension and academic performance.

RESULTS

The results of Phil-IRI Screening test revealed that the majority of students are less proficient which can be interpreted that most of the respondents need reading intervention. It can be deduced that from the average performance of students in the 4 core subjects, the majority of the respondents or equivalent to 40% belong to Fairly Satisfactory Level with a grade of 75-79%. Consequently, only 3% of the total respondents belong to Outstanding with a grade of 90 and above. It is evident that students included in this endeavor were poor in their academic standing. The study also revealed that in Math and in English, both the null hypotheses are rejected which can be interpreted that reading comprehension skills have significant effects on the academic performance of students.

DISCUSSIONS

The results show that the promotion of good reading habits through the researcher's proposed reading intervention entitled "Holistic and Engaging Activities in Reading Text (HEART)" will be of great help not only in increasing the level of comprehension skills of students but also in improving their academic performance as well.