WWC review of this study

An Evaluation of an Explicit Read Aloud Intervention Taught in Whole-Classroom Formats In First Grade

Baker, Scott K.; Santoro, Lana Edwards; Chard, David J.; Fien, Hank; Park, Yonghan; Otterstedt, Janet (2013). Elementary School Journal, v113 n3 p331-358 Mar 2013. Retrieved from: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1013951

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
     examining 
    225
     Students
    , grade
    1

Reviewed: February 2023

At least one finding shows promising evidence of effectiveness
At least one statistically significant positive finding
Meets WWC standards without reservations
Listening comprehension outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Strong Narrative Assessment Procedure (SNAP) - Narrative Retells subtest

Read aloud curriculum—Baker et al. (2013) vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
214 students

14.18

12.31

No

--

Expository Retells

Read aloud curriculum—Baker et al. (2013) vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
208 students

4.90

4.36

No

--

Gates MacGinitie Test of Reading Comprehension - Listening Comprehension subtest

Read aloud curriculum—Baker et al. (2013) vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
213 students

16.02

16.08

No

--
Vocabulary development outcomes—Statistically significant positive effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Depth of Vocabulary Knowledge

Read aloud curriculum—Baker et al. (2013) vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
215 students

28.65

20.45

Yes

 
 
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Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Characteristics of study sample as reported by study author.

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    West

Setting

The study takes place in 12 first grade classrooms in 12 elementary schools in 3 districts in the Pacific Northwest. 10 schools (4 assigned to the treatment group and 6 assigned to the control) come from district 1, while 1 school each from districts 2 and 3 were assigned to the treatment group.

Study sample

About 55% percent of the sample received free or reduced price lunch, and a little under half was female. 27% of the intervention and 20% of the control group were minorities.

Intervention Group

The intervention consisted of 19 weeks of instruction, broken into 2-week units. Each unit included 6-7 lessons of 30 minutes each, with each lesson centered around a book. In each lesson teachers first identified the type of book and taught vocabulary. During reading they focused on grammar in narrative texts and k-w-l (know, want to know, learned) in expository texts and prompted discussions. After reading the text was summarized, retelling practiced, and vocabulary reviewed. Teachers were asked to lead students in read aloud activities at least 4 days a week, including the intervention lessons.

Comparison Group

Comparison teachers were asked to lead students in read aloud activities at least 4 days a week using their usual practices.

Support for implementation

Teachers participated in a 2-day training before the intervention began, during which they were introduced to the program and lessons were modelled. Teachers also received materials. Teachers were observed and provided with feedback during the first two weeks of the intervention, and participated in a half-day follow up training 9 weeks into the study.

 

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