CORRECTIVE READING - COMPREHENSION

SRA - McGraw-Hill

Goal of the Program:

For students who read without understanding, the SRA Corrective Reading Comprehension program develops vocabulary, information, and comprehension strategies needed for academic success. This program helps underachieving readers develop higher-order thinking and reasoning tactics used by successful readers—applying prior knowledge, making inferences, and analyzing evidence.

Grade Level: 4th – 12th

The program targets students who are reading at least two more years below grade level and have poor comprehension.

Type of Program:  Supplemental, core supplant or possibly both

The program is designed to change the behavior of the poor comprehender. These behaviors may include: lack of precision in following oral and/or written instructions, poor memory for information, poor statement-repetition skills (which negatively influences information retention), lack of analytical skills needed to process augments, a deficiency in vocabulary and common information, and lack of motivation.

Instructional Delivery Mode: Teacher-directed

Direct instruction, the methodology used by Corrective Reading, is a scripted presentation approach that uses a brisk pace, carefully chosen exercises and examples, and other special presentation techniques to engage even reluctant learners.

Technology Required:  None

Reading Components Addressed:  Vocabulary, Comprehension and Fluency

Recommended Instructional Minutes:  45 to 50 minutes DAILY

Student/Teacher Ratio: Small group instruction, from 5 to 20 students

Overall Design and Instructional Sequence of the Program

The program utilizes sequenced lessons that provide the structure and practice struggling readers need to master high-priority skills and strategies.  It includes briskly paced, teacher-directed instruction, on-going assessment, and built-in management and reinforcement. Students are placed in this program when they have completed Level A - SRA Decoding.

Level A: Thinking Basics
For students who have difficulty responding to literal questions and following directions. Builds the oral language foundation from which other comprehension skills can be developed. (60 lessons)

Levels B1 and B2: Comprehension Skills
Teaches literal and inferential comprehension strategies. Students read for information and learn to retain new facts and vocabulary. (B1: 60 lessons, B2: 65 lessons)

Level C: Concept Applications
Builds on skills needed for content area study in Secondary School. Students sharpen their critical reading skills and organize information for retention and reporting. Teacher-directed activities are replaced with independent study. (140 lessons)

Assessments: Manual

• Comprehension Placement Test (measures performance on analogies, similarities, recitation behavior, deductions, and other skills assumed in complex comprehension activities.)  Note: there is the option of using the Decoding Placement Test results to place students into the appropriate Comprehension Program level.

• Fact Game/Mastery Test Lessons: A format for both reviewing program material, and for checking for skill attainment. These are scheduled periodically as follows:

• Comprehension A – Every 10 lessons
• Comprehension B1 – Every 5 lessons
• Comprehension B2 – Every 10 lessons
• Comprehension C – Every 15 lessons

Professional Devleopment Requirements and Cost

Approximately 3.5 hours of staff development (no cost) in how to deliver direct instruction, as well as how to use the SRA Corrective Reading Comprehension materials.  Follow-up observations and coaching is recommended.

Who Can Deliver Program:  Classroom teacher, trained aide or interventionist 

Strengths of the Program:

This program has explicit and systematic lesson plans which require minimal preparation (on a daily basis) by the teacher.  The manual is well-organized and easy to follow. The built-in classroom management piece assists with behavior issues, and has been proven to work with a range of students.

Weaknesses of the Program:

This program is not designed to be used with students who do not speak English, or whose grasp of English is quite weak. Teachers may be resistant at first to the direct instruction model that require strict adherence in order to prove successful.

Cost: Initial cost of approximately$100.00 per student

Consumable workbooks and mastery tests will need to be purchased annually – workbooks are approximately $7.00 per student, mastery tests are approximately $3.00