Phase-2 Exploratory Trial Results of a Cooperative Learning Vocabulary Instruction Program in English Elementary Schools

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 3:20 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Cooperative Learning: Theory, Research and Practice Roundtable Session (Table 2)

Abstract

In England, although ranked 9th in PISA 2022 reading assessments (OECD, 2023), 27% of students aged 11 still fail to read at age-appropriate levels (DfE, 2023). Results are reported of a Phase-2 (Exploratory) randomized controlled trial of Vocabulary-for-Reading a cooperative learning targeted vocabulary instruction program designed to improve reading outcomes in elementary schools. The program upskills school-staff to deliver instruction to children aged 7-10 for approximately 900minutes (over 20-weeks). Seven schools from four high-poverty districts in England participated, with a sample of 101 children. Positive effect sizes of +0.38 on overall reading scores were observed, on an independently designed test. This intervention shows excellent promise as a technique to improve overall reading (through enhancing sentence and passage level reading comprehension).

Authors

• Maria Paz Cockerill, Queen's University - Belfast

• Allen Thurston, Queen's University - Belfast

• Joanne O'Keeffe, Queen's University - Belfast

• Tien-Hui Chiang, Anhui Normal University