WWC review of this study

A longitudinal randomized trial of a sustained content literacy intervention from first to second grade: Transfer effects on students’ reading comprehension outcomes

Kim, J. S., Burkhauser, M. A., Relyea, J. E., Gilbert, J. B., Scherer, E., Fitzgerald, J., Mosher, D., & McIntyre, S. (2022). Journal of Educational Psychology. Advanced online. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000751.

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
     examining 
    2,275
     Students
    , grades
    1-2

Reviewed: July 2023

At least one statistically significant positive finding
Meets WWC standards without reservations
General Literacy Achievement outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Reading Total Score

Model of Reading Engagement (MORE) vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
2,275 students

N/A

N/A

No

--
Reading Comprehension outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Science Content Reading Comprehension (researcher developed)

Model of Reading Engagement (MORE) vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
2,275 students

N/A

N/A

No

--
Show Supplemental Findings

Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Reading Comprehension Subtest

Model of Reading Engagement (MORE) vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
2,156 students

N/A

N/A

Yes

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

Science Vocabulary Knowledge Depth (Kim et al 2021) Untaught words

Model of Reading Engagement (MORE) vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
2,275 students

N/A

N/A

No

--


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.


  • 24% English language learners

  • Female: 49%
    Male: 51%

  • Urban
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    South
  • Race
    Asian
    8%
    Black
    36%
    Other or unknown
    38%
    White
    18%
  • Ethnicity
    Hispanic    
    35%
    Not Hispanic or Latino    
    65%
  • Eligible for Free and Reduced Price Lunch
    Free or reduced price lunch (FRPL)    
    41%
    No FRPL    
    59%

Setting

Children in first grade classrooms from 30 elementary schools located in the southeastern United States participated in this study. All schools were drawn from a single urban school district.

Study sample

Students were 51 percent male and 36 percent Black. Over half (61%) spoke English at home as their primary language, and 41 percent were categorized as low socioeconomic status.

Intervention Group

First-grade students were organized into four groups based on teachers' assessments of the students' reading level. Students then chose five reader-level matched books that were related to science (i.e., animal survival) and social studies themes (i.e., explorers). These books were designed to be just difficult enough to support active processing as students drew upon their knowledge to read independently at home. Over a period of 10 weeks, second-grade students received 45 lessons that focused on a single theme, along with an organizing question.

Comparison Group

The first grade curriculum was described as a balanced literacy program that included word study, guided reading and writing activities in small groups, teacher-directed lessons, and independent reading. The school district used Expeditionary Learning for the second grade curriculum. This is a content-based literacy curriculum designed to build content knowledge and language and literacy skills.

Support for implementation

Teachers participated in 2 hours of professional development and received on-going support during the implementation of the intervention. Teachers also had access to school-based literacy facilitators who could answer questions about the program.

 

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This download will include data files for study and findings review data and a data dictionary.

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