Reducing Risk through a Supplementary Reading Intervention: A Case Study of First- and Second-Grade Urban Students

Abstract

This descriptive study examined whether a computer-based, repeated reading intervention (i.e., Reading Relevant and Culturally Engaging Stories) is associated with improved reading and social behavior for three primary-aged urban black girls who each showed both academic and behavioral risk. The Reading Relevant and Culturally Engaging Stories intervention utilized culturally relevant reading passages for repeated readings delivered through computer software to increase the reading fluency of the young learners. Single-subject data collection procedures (AB designs) were used to measure student performance in reading and behavior during the intervention. Reading and behavioral outcomes improved following implementation of the intervention for all three participants. The benefits of systematic, intensive, and culturally relevant intervention to reduce risk in beginning learners are discussed.