A study of the effectiveness of peer-assisted learning strategies (PALS) for the reading achievement of elementary students in a cross-categorical self-contained classroom
by Pool, Nicole, M.S., SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY AT CARBONDALE, 2009, 148 pages; 1464985

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the PALS instructional approach on the decoding, fluency, and comprehension performance levels of elementary students with different disability labels (e.g. learning disability, other health impairment, and mental impairment) receiving services in a fifth grade self-contained cross-categorical classroom. An additional purpose of the current study was to examine student acceptability and satisfaction with the PALS intervention. Participants of the present study included 12 fifth grade students placed in a self-contained cross-categorical classroom who were three to four years below grade level in terms of reading performance. PALS was conducted in the experimental classroom three times per week for over 20 weeks. Reading decoding, fluency, and comprehension were measured before and after treatment utilizing assessments including the Dolch Sight Word List, DIBELS Nonsense Word Fluency (NWF), DIBELS Oral Reading Fluency (DORF), and the Reading subtest of the K-TEA, Brief Form. Decoding and fluency DIBELS NWF and ORF probes were utilized weekly for progress monitoring purposes in order to create graphs to compare student progress during baseline and intervention phases. In addition, a student satisfaction survey was administered as a posttest to determine student acceptability. Results indicate moderate gains on decoding, fluency, and comprehension measures for most students; however, the gains were not sufficient to bring students to grade level in terms of reading performance. Data obtained from the student satisfaction survey indicated that students enjoyed PALS overall and perceived a certain level of benefit from the intervention. Implications for future research and possible manipulations of PALS in special education settings are discussed.

 
AdviserNancy A. Mundschenk
SchoolSOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY AT CARBONDALE
SourceMAI/ 47-06, p. , Jul 2009
Source TypeThesis
SubjectsElementary education; Special education; Reading instruction
Publication Number1464985
Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation:
 

» Find an electronic copy at your library.
  Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work:
  http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl%3furl_ver=Z39.88-2004%26res_dat=xri:pqdiss%26rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation%26rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:1464985
  If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not, you will have the option to purchase one, and access a 24 page preview for free (if available).

About ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
With over 2.3 million records, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research.

The database includes citations of graduate works ranging from the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to those accepted as recently as last semester. Of the 2.3 million graduate works included in the database, ProQuest offers more than 1.9 million in full text formats. Of those, over 860,000 are available in PDF format. More than 60,000 dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.

If you have questions, please feel free to visit the ProQuest Web site - http://www.proquest.com - or call ProQuest Hotline Customer Support at 1-800-521-3042.