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A Meta-Analysis of Studies Examining the Effect of Whole Language Instruction on the Literacy of Low-SES Students William H. Jeynes Stephen W. Littell. Presented by Randal I. Queen Radford University. Whole Language vs. Basal Instruction. Whole Language Whole pieces of literature
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A Meta-Analysis of Studies Examining the Effect of Whole Language Instruction on the Literacy of Low-SES StudentsWilliam H. JeynesStephen W. Littell Presented by Randal I. Queen Radford University
Whole Language vs. Basal Instruction • Whole Language • Whole pieces of literature • Functional language • Basal Instruction • Abridged or segmented texts • Direct instruction in isolated skills • Phonics • Child centered vs. teacher centered
Purpose • To determine if whole language reading instruction is beneficial for increasing reading achievement among primary school students with low SES. • Decreasing reading achievement, especially in states that have implemented whole language • Low SES students receive little attention from Whole language advocates
Importance • Accountability • “No Child Left Behind” • IDEA • Targeting low SES students • Determines success of educational program • Mathew Effect
Literature Review • 1966-1994 • Method • Electronic Sources • PsychInfo • ERIC • Sociological Abstracts • Dissertation Abstracts • Studies • 16 • Reported using 14 • Data for 16 (1 w/out effect size) in table
Studies & Statistical Methods • Empirical studies • Kindergarten to third-grade students w/ low SES • Statistics • Means and sd’s • T-test • F-test statistic • Pre and posttest scores • Effect Size (d) • Hedge’s “g” (pooled standard deviation)
Potential Moderators • Reading Instruction • Definitional Purity • Pure, specific, broad, eclectic • Quality, duration, and year of study • Standardized vs. non-standardized outcome measures
Conclusions • Basal Approach is better than Whole Language for low-SES students • Especially when using standardized outcome measures • Whole language should not be totally counted out • Some positive results in purest form • More research needed
Cont…… • Who wins? • Extremely political • How bout’ a little of both!!!!
Criticisms • Explain more!!! • Discrepancy between written text and tables • Hard copy vs. Electronic version