Baseline Insights into a Word Study Spelling Program’s Effectiveness: Research in Progress

• In Event: AERA Research in Progress Roundtable Session Two
  In Invited Roundtable: Research-in-Progress RT070 (Thursday)

Abstract

There is an established connection between spelling accuracy and student literacy outcomes(Graham & Santangelo, 2014) and spelling has stronger effects on the development of reading than reading alone (Ehri & Wilce, 1987; Sharar-Yames & Share, 2008). This efficacy study seeks to answer how a systematic spelling and word study curriculum that includes instruction in phonology, orthography, morphology, and integrated use of meaning in sentence production impact spelling outcomes for students in 3rd-5th grades compared to a business as usual comparison school in the southeastern region of the United States.Pretest data have been collected from 297 students at the comparison and treatment schools. Current data analysis of n=170 participants in grade three shows a positive effect between spelling consistency and oral reading fluency.

Authors

• Robin Miranda, MTSU

• Caitlin Deckard, University of Texas at Austin