Predictor Of Reading Achievement Research Articles

Students’ 2018 PISA reading self-concept: Identifying predictors and examining model generalizability for emergent bilinguals

Decades of research have indicated that reading self-concept is an important predictor of reading achievement. During this period, the population of emergent bilinguals has continued to increase within United States' schools. However, the existing literature has tended to examine native English speakers' and emergent bilinguals' reading self-concept in the aggregate, thereby potentially obfuscating the unique pathways through which reading self-concept predicts reading achievement. Furthermore, due to the overreliance of native English speakers in samples relating to theory development, researchers attempting to examine predictors of reading achievement may a priori select variables that are more aligned with native English speakers' experiences. To address this issue, we adopted Elastic Net, which is a theoretically agnostic methodology and machine learning approach to variable selection to identify the proximal and distal predictors of reading self-concept for the entire population; in our study, participants from the United States who participated in PISA 2018 served as the baseline group to determine significant predictors of reading self-concept with the intent of identifying potential new directions for future researchers. Based on Elastic Net analysis, 20 variables at the student level, three variables at the teacher level, and 12 variables at the school level were identified as the most salient predictors of reading self-concept. We then utilized a multilevel modeling approach to test model generalizability of the identified predictors of reading self-concept for emergent bilinguals and native English speakers. We disaggregated and compared findings for both emergent bilinguals and native English speakers. Our results indicate that although some predictors were important for both groups (e.g., perceived information and communications technologies competence), other predictors were not (e.g., competitiveness). Suggestions for future directions and implications of the present study are examined.

The structural relations among learning environment, achievement goals and reading achievement in China: Evidence from PISA 2018

ABSTRACT This study explores structural relations among learning environment, achievement goals and reading achievement in China. The sample contains 12,058 Chinese students from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018 study. Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling (Multilevel SEM) is used for data analysis. The results indicate that competitive learning environment positively predicts reading achievement. Student-centred learning environment positively predicts reading achievement both directly and indirectly. Teacher-directed learning environment negatively predicts reading achievement. Performance goals positively predict reading achievement. To improve student reading achievement in China, school leaders are recommended to create opportunities for teachers to learn how to cultivate student-centred learning environment. Reading teachers in China are recommended to adopt student-centred pedagogy rather than teacher-directed pedagogy in their teaching.

Challenging the stability of RAN development: Acknowledging PA and Gf in relation to reading.

This study had two overriding goals, (1) examine the stability of rapid automatized naming (RAN) in predicting reading achievement while taking into account two other frequently studied constructs, phonological awareness and fluid intelligence (Gf) and (2) examine the predictive power of RAN measured at age 4 on reading ability. The stable pattern of RAN development found in a previously reported growth model was challenged by relating phonological awareness and Gf to the model. Children (N = 364) were followed from age 4 to age 10. At age 4, Gf related strongly to phonological awareness, which in turn related strongly to RAN. The relations between the RAN measures over time was largely unaffected by the inclusion of Gf and phonological awareness. RAN, Gf and phonological awareness at age 4 independently predicted latent factors reflecting reading-related abilities in grade 1 and grade 4. However, when scrutinizing type of reading measure in grade 4, Gf, phonological awareness and RAN at age 4 predicted both spelling and reading fluency, whereas RAN in grade 2 did not predict spelling but was the strongest predictor of reading fluency.

Predicting Reading Achievement Through Progress Monitoring in Elementary School

ABSTRACT This longitudinal study examined the effectiveness of a progress monitoring method, namely the Multilayer Instruction Model-Progress Monitoring (MIM-PM), which is a word reading fluency measure. It was used from 1st grade onward to predict the overall reading achievement of students in elementary school by tracking their reading achievement over the following six years. A total of 827 elementary school students in Japan participated in this study. At the end of every other year—2nd, 4th, and 6th grades—a standardized Reading Test (RT) was administered to assess overall reading achievement. The relationship between each MIM-PM measure and RT was determined using the latent growth curve model (LGCM). Using the LGCM, we confirmed that the MIM-PM had an acceptable fit for use in the prediction model for RT from 2nd to 6th grades. The MIM-PM slope explained the intercept of RT, rather than that of MIM-PM. Thus, it can assist in predicting reading achievement in later grades based on word reading fluency, as well as monitor students’ progress from an early stage of the educational process.

What explains Macau students’ achievement? An integrative perspective using a machine learning approach (¿Cuál es la explicación del rendimiento de los estudiantes macaenses? Una perspectiva integradora mediante la adopción del enfoque del aprendizaje automático)

ABSTRACT Although Macau students have consistently been recognized as top performers in international assessments, little research has been conducted to explore the various factors that are associated with their achievement. This paper aimed to identify factors that could best predict Macau students’ reading achievement using PISA 2018 data provided by 2,979 15-year-old students. An integrative theoretical model that considered the critical roles of demographic, personal and social-contextual factors was used to understand the relative importance of 41 different factors in predicting reading achievement. A machine learning approach, specifically Random Forest Algorithm, was used to analyse the data. Results indicated that variables classified under personal factors (e.g., metacognitive strategies, reading enjoyment and perceived difficulty) were the most important predictors of Macau students’ achievement. A supplementary analysis using Hierarchical Linear Modelling confirmed the findings from the machine learning approach. Implications of the findings were discussed.

Examining Non-cognitive Factors Predicting Reading Achievement in Turkey: Evidence from PISA 2018

The purpose of the study was to investigate how student and teacher-related non-cognitive variables were important factors on the reading performances of Turkish students in PISA 2018. The results of the HLM analysis revealed that economic, social and cultural status (ESCS) as backround variable was considered an effective predictor of student and school reading achievement. Meta-cognitive stratejies were the most influential variables among the students’ non-cognitive variables. Besides, most of the teacher-related non-cognitive factors had significant impacts on reading achievement even after controlling all student related and backround variables. Teachers’ instructional behaviours such as adaptive instruction and teacher-directed instruction have much more influence on reading performance than other teacher behaviors. The results suggeted that fostering soft skills are essential for both students and teachers.

Interaction of Socioeconomic Status and Class Relations on Reading

Student–teacher relationships (STRs) and socioeconomic status (SES) are two widely studied variables that have been found to predict reading achievement in the early grades. The current study extends the literature by investigating the interaction between STRs, measured using the STR Scale completed by teachers, and SES on reading achievement using a nationally representative data set. The study included approximately 8,380 first-grade students and 2,930 teachers, from 860 schools, representing a weighted sample of 3.15 million students. Results from multilevel modeling that controlled for student-, teacher-, and school-level factors found that both STRs and SES were strongly associated with student reading achievement. There was also a statistically significant interaction between close STRs and SES on reading achievement, suggesting that less conflictual STRs were associated with increased reading achievement scores for all students, but were particularly beneficial for students from low SES backgrounds. Educational implications are provided.

Exploring the interplay between socioeconomic status and reading achievement: An expectancy-value perspective.

Socioeconomic status (SES) and motivation are both important predictors of student achievement. However, most studies have investigated these factors separately, and very few have looked into the interplay between SES and motivation as determinants of student reading achievement. We intend to bridge this gap by examining a model of SES predicting reading achievement through motivation (i.e., expectancy and value) at both student and school levels. We used the data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018 of 26,281 students from four regions in Greater China (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taipei). We used multi-group multilevel path analysis to test whether SES would predict reading achievement mediated by expectancy and value in student and school levels across four regions, with gender as a covariate. Results showed that at the student level, SES significantly predicted reading achievement indirectly through both expectancy and value across four regions. At the school level, the relationship between school SES and school reading achievement was mostly direct. The study was able to demonstrate the motivational gap as a pathway in which economic inequality can contribute to students' reading achievement gap.

What motivates students to read at school? Student views on reading practices in middle and lower‐secondary school

Reading amount is decisive for individual students' academic success as well as for the general strength of democratic societies. Still, the amount of both leisure‐time and school‐related reading is decreasing. To reverse this trend, more knowledge of what drives students' school reading is needed. Drawing on Self‐Determination Theory (SDT), the study is based on structured interviews with 259 students in Grades 6 and 9 from 14 different schools. Descriptive statistical analyses were made to map students' perceptions of themselves as readers and their school‐related reading practices and to find out what regulates students' motivation for in‐class reading. Although students express a strong will to become good readers, our data indicate that students are mainly driven by controlled motivation for their school‐related reading; autonomous motivation was only expressed by a minority of students in Grade 6. What would make students read more are mainly text and instruction related factors such as more interesting texts and more time allocated to reading. Our results point to a great potential for more in‐class reading across the curriculum, reading sessions that need to be regularly scheduled using carefully selected texts. In line with SDT, our findings highlight the importance of fulfilling students' need for competence, relatedness, and autonomy in order for them to develop more self‐determined behaviour, such as leisure‐time reading – which in turn will boost their reading self‐concept.HighlightsWhat is already known about this topic Students who practice reading more tend to become more competent readers and therefore develop a more positive relationship with reading and themselves as readers (reading self‐concept). Autonomous motivation strongly predicts reading achievement, whereas controlled motivation negatively predicts reading outcomes. The amount of both leisure‐time and school‐related reading is decreasing in many parts of the western world, highlighting the need for schools to find new ways of engaging students in reading practices. What this paper adds Students want to be good readers and know that they need to read more to become good readers. In contrast to leisure‐time reading, students' school‐related reading practices are driven far more by controlled than autonomous motivation, especially by the time they reach secondary school. Students would read more if they were provided with more interesting texts, the possibility to choose, and if more class time were allocated to reading. Implications for theory, policy or practice Autonomy‐supporting reading sessions need to be regularly and amply scheduled across the curriculum to ensure reading practices that can develop reader competence. Schools need to ensure that students have access to a variety of texts to choose from according to both personal interest and level of difficulty. Educators need to design reading practices that fulfil students' need for competence, relatedness, and autonomy in order for them to develop more self‐determined behaviour and a more positive perception of themselves as readers.

How Do Phonological Awareness and Rapid Naming Predict Reading? Findings from a Highly Transparent Orthography

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to examine the power of phonological awareness and rapid naming longitudinally in predicting reading achievement in a highly transparent orthography, Turkish. Children were followed in kindergarten and first grade and assessed at four time points. While phonological awareness and rapid naming skills of children were assessed in the fall and spring semesters of kindergarten and in the fall semester of first grade, their reading skills were assessed at the end of fall semester of first grade. A total of 365 children participated in all assessments. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the prediction status of phonological awareness and rapid naming on reading achievement. Results revealed that although phonological awareness was a better predictor of reading than rapid naming, both skills predicted reading achievement significantly at all three time points, and that the contribution of these skills to reading differed at various points in time. In conclusion phonological awareness and rapid naming are strong predictors of reading achievement in a highly transparent orthography as indicated by the previous research. Thus, by assessing these skills, children at risk for reading difficulties can be identified and supported early to increase their chance of success in school.

Language Variation in the Writing of African American Students: Factors Predicting Reading Achievement.

PurposeThis study aims to examine the predictive relation between measures obtained from African American students' written narrative language samples and reading achievement, as measured by standardized academic assessments.MethodWritten language samples were elicited from 207 African American students in Grades 1–8. The samples were examined for morphosyntactic variations from standardized written Generalized American English (GAE). These variations were categorized as either (a) specific to African American English (AAE) or (b) neutral across AAE and standardized written GAE (i.e., considered ungrammatical both in AAE and in standardized written GAE). Structural equation modeling was employed to then examine the predictive relation between the density of AAE-specific forms in students' writing and their performance on standardized assessments of literacy and reading vocabulary. This relation was examined while accounting for the density of dialect-neutral morphosyntactic forms, reported family income, age, and written sample length.ResultsThe written samples were highly variable in terms of morphosyntax. Younger students and those from lower income homes tended to use AAE-specific forms at higher rates. However, the density of AAE-specific forms did not significantly predict standardized literacy scores or reading vocabulary after accounting for dialect-neutral variations, income, and sample length.ConclusionsThese results support the ongoing need to better understand the language, literacy, and overall academic development of students from all backgrounds. It may be essential to focus on dialect-neutral language forms (i.e., morphosyntactic forms that are consistent across both AAE and standardized written GAE) in written samples to maximize assessment validity across students who speak varying dialects of English.Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.16879558

Formative assessment, growth mindset, and achievement: examining their relations in the East and the West

ABSTRACT Both formative assessment and growth mindset scholars aim to understand how to enhance achievement. While research on formative assessment focuses on external teaching practices, work on growth mindset emphasises internal psychological processes. This study examined the interplay between three formative assessment strategies (i.e. sharing learning progressions, providing feedback, and instructional adjustments) and growth mindset in predicting reading achievement using the PISA2018 data. We focused specifically on samples from the West (the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) and the East (Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Chinese Taipei, Japan and Korea) which comprised of 109,204 15-year old students. The results showed that formative assessment strategies were positively, albeit weakly, related to a growth mindset in the East, but not in the West. In contrast, growth mindset was positively related to reading achievement only in the West, but not in the East. The impacts of different formative assessment strategies on reading achievement demonstrated cross-cultural variability, but the strongest positive predictor was instructional adjustments. These findings highlight the potential synergy between formative assessment and growth mindset in enhancing academic achievement as well as the importance of cultural contexts in understanding their roles in student learning.

The Relation Between Television Viewing Time and Reading Achievement in Elementary School Children: A Test of Substitution and Inhibition Hypotheses.

Research has focused on the relations between television (TV) viewing time and children’s reading achievement. Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain this relation. The substitution hypothesis proposes that TV viewing distracts students from activities that are important for their learning. The inhibition hypothesis proposes that watching television inhibits important affective/cognitive skills. In this study, we test both hypotheses by estimating the relation between TV viewing time and reading achievement. We use the frequency of students’ leisure reading and the frequency of interactions between students and their parents as potential mediators to test the substitution hypothesis, whereas for the inhibition one, we use students’ intrinsic motivation to read and their level of inattention. Data come from the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD). Designed by the Institut de la statistique du Québec, QLSCD covers a wide range of themes. The QLSCD is representative of children in Québec and contains 2223 participants who were followed from 0 to 21 years old. The four structural models tested are built as follows: the TV viewing time at 6 years old predicts the four mediating variables at 8 years old, which in turn predicts reading achievement at 10 years old. In addition, we have tested models’ gender invariance. Results indicate that TV viewing time is not directly or indirectly associated with reading achievement. Specifically, it is not associated with the mediating variables of child-parent interactions, intrinsic motivation, and inattention. However, the frequency of leisure reading is negatively associated with the time spent watching TV. This association is very small (−0.07) and has no indirect effect on reading achievement. Finally, results do not vary according to the gender of the participants. Our results are in line with those of previous studies in the field and cast some doubts on the potential negative effects of TV viewing time on reading achievement.

Linking student, home, and school factors to reading achievement: the mediating role of reading self-efficacy

Based upon the ecological perspective and the social cognitive theory, this study examined the role of reading self-efficacy in the associations of contextual factors with reading achievement by establishing an educational ecology of reading. The model included student factors, student/home factors, student/school factors, and school factors of reading. These contextual factors were hypothesised as predictors of reading self-efficacy, which was, in turn, the predictor of reading achievement. The Canadian data of the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study 2016 with 18,624 Grade 4 students from 926 schools were analysed with multilevel structural equation modelling. Results showed that most student- and school-level factors significantly predicted reading self-efficacy, which in turn significantly predicted reading achievement. Home resources for learning and school climate factors showed the strongest associations with reading. The theoretical and practical implications of our findings were discussed.

Examining the Relationship between Charter Competition, Teacher Quality, and School Resources on Ohio’s Reading Achievement

The purpose of this article is to examine the relationships between charter competition, teacher quality, and school resources on reading achievement. According to the market-based theory, the threat that charter competition poses should encourage traditional public schools to adopt policies and practices that lead to increased student achievement. A linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze district and building-level date to determine which variable(s) presents as the best predictor of reading achievement in Ohio. The sample consisted of 293 schools from four districts between 2005 and 2017. The findings suggest that as the charter school to public school ratio increases in a district, the reading achievement of students attending traditional public schools decreases; when the average reading proficiency for charter schools increases in a district, traditional public students demonstrate higher reading proficiency; the focus on teachers with a highly qualified certification does not lead to increased reading performance scores; and that after accounting for other predictors, the amount of per-pupil funding allocated for curriculum and instruction are significantly related to reading achievement at the elementary level but not at middle school level.

Contributions of working memory and sustained attention to children’s reading achievement: A commonality analysis approach

We used commonality analysis to explore the unique and overlapping contributions of two closely related executive functions, working memory and sustained attention, to the prediction of children’s reading achievement, over and above age and verbal IQ. Children aged 8–10 years (N = 104) completed measures of working memory capacity, sustained attention capacity, verbal IQ and reading achievement (operationalised as word reading and reading comprehension). We found that working memory capacity explained relatively more unique variance in word reading than in reading comprehension. Working memory capacity also predicted reading achievement through shared variance. In contrast, the capacity to sustain attention did not explain any substantial unique variance in either word reading or reading comprehension. The variance sustained attention capacity explained in reading achievement, albeit small in magnitude, was almost completely from overlapping variance with other predictors. These findings highlight the importance of understanding how executive function components differentially relate to aspects of reading achievement and provide initial evidence that any meaningful contribution sustained attention capacity makes to reading achievement is via shared variance.

Do Cattell-Horn-Carroll Cognitive Abilities Predict Reading Achievement Similarly for Black Children as for Other Racial/Ethnic Groups?

Racial/ethnic bias in the prediction of students’ educational potential was questioned in the Larry P. Vs. Riles case. The construct and predictive validity of the Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Cognitive Abilities (WJ IV; Schrank et al. 2014b) have not been examined for racial/ethnic bias. This study extended Keith’s (1999) examination of bias across racial/ethnic groups for general and specific cognitive abilities predicting reading achievement. It employed a higher-order model of cognitive abilities based on Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory and a three-factor reading achievement model adapted from Niileksela et al. (2016). Using samples of 9- to 13-year-old Black, Hispanic, and White children from the WJ IV norming sample, models representing CHC cognitive abilities and reading demonstrated invariance across groups. Despite the fact that the models where CHC broad abilities predicted reading achievement were a poor fit, results indicated similar predictive relations for Black children as for other racial/ethnic groups. The CHC cognitive models employed are not acceptable to predict reading for Black children—and all children—within this age range.

Linguistic comprehension and narrative skills predict reading ability: A 9-year longitudinal study.

Linguistic comprehension and narrative skills encapsulate a complex array of grammatical and semantic skills that underpin complex reading comprehension processes. However, most research in this area has focused onchildren with reading difficultiesandnoton typically developing children.Also the research hasmostly focused onshort-term effects of theseskills on reading during the primary school years. Therefore, it remains unclear what specific role linguistic comprehension and narrative skills play in typically developing children's reading beyond the primary school years. With this 9-year prospective longitudinal study, we sought to clarify the independent effects of linguistic comprehension and narrative skill (at 5 years of age) on children's reading ability at 10 and 14 years of age. We examined the data from 716 children (MAge =67 months, SD=2.13 months), which were drawn from a major population cohort study, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Children's language skills were assessed at 5 and word reading and reading comprehension skills at 10 years of age. The reading achievement scores at 14 years of age were based on national curriculum test results. Linguistic comprehension and narrative skills at 5 years of age made unique and direct contributions to reading comprehension skills and reading achievement after accounting for general cognitive ability, memory, phonological skills, and mother's education. Moreover, listening comprehension predicted reading achievement even when prior reading skills were taken into account. Linguistic comprehension and narrative skills are related but distinct oral language skills that continue to influence children's reading development beyond the primary school years.

Using existing data to predict reading achievement among English language learners in the United States

Using existing data to predict reading achievement among English language learners in the United States

Why do girls do better in reading than boys? How parental emotional contagion explains gender differences in reading achievement

AbstractPrevious studies that attempted to explain why girls often perform better than boys in reading have emphasized the role of values and beliefs, with little attention paid to the role of emotions. This study focused on the role of parent–child emotional contagion in explaining gender differences, by investigating how parents’ reading emotion predicts students’ reading emotion and subsequent reading achievement. The data that was used was from a subsample of students from the Program for International Students Assessment (n = 84,429) from 14 countries. Multi‐group structural equation modeling was conducted to assess a model of parents’ enjoyment of reading predicting reading achievement through students’ enjoyment of reading. Results provided support for a model of parents’ enjoyment of reading, predicting students 'enjoyment of reading, and subsequent reading achievement for both girls and boys. However, the indirect effect of parents’ enjoyment of reading on reading achievement through students’ enjoyment of reading was found to be stronger in girls than in boys. Findings emphasize the important role of parents’ emotions on student outcomes and how gender biases in a certain context can affect the extent to which parents’ emotions can influence student achievement.