Effects of Culturally Relevant Materials on the Reading Performance of Second-Grade African Americans With Reading/Special Education Risk

• In Event: Urban Learning and Teaching

Abstract

The use of culturally relevant material for urban students with special education/reading risk is frequently promoted in the literature; however, the empirical evidence appears limited. This study included eight African American urban second-grade students who scored within the at risk range on the DIBELS Oral Reading Fluency measure. The students read culturally relevant and non-culturally relevant passages to assess differences in reading fluency, comprehension, and passage likeability. Results from an alternating treatment design and the Wilcoxon test indicated that students were more fluent on passages that were culturally relevant. Comprehension and passage likability assessments favored the culturally relevant passages but were not statistically significant. Findings are discussed relative to the beneficial effects of culturally relevant materials for culturally diverse populations.

Authors

• Gwendolyn Cartledge, The Ohio State University

• Susan Keesey, Western Kentucky University

• Jessica Bennett