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Growth in reading-related skills of language minority learners and their classmates: more evidence for early identification and intervention

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Abstract

This longitudinal study investigated growth in reading-related skills between Grade 1 and 4 for language minority (LM) learners and their native English-speaking classmates from similarly low socioeconomic backgrounds (N = 166). Growth trajectories were compared by language background and by Grade 4 reading difficulties, with the goal of informing decisions about how early LM learners can undergo screening for risk of reading difficulties. As a group, LM learners demonstrated weaknesses in vocabulary and oral comprehension and strengths in phonological awareness that were apparent in Grade 1 and consistent through Grade 4. LM learners also demonstrated early strengths in letter-word identification but fell far below national norms by Grade 4. The subset of LM learners with word reading difficulties demonstrated major weaknesses in vocabulary, oral comprehension, phonological awareness, and working memory, whereas LM learners with specific reading comprehension difficulties demonstrated major weaknesses in vocabulary and oral comprehension; these weaknesses were apparent in Grade 1 and consistent through Grade 4, suggesting the importance of early assessment and intervention.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported, in part, by challenge grants to Rose K. Vukovic from New York University and the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Michael J. Kieffer’s work on the research was supported by a small grant from the Spencer Foundation. The authors would like to thank the participating principals, teachers, and students. Special thanks to research assistants Chelsea Ziesig, Steven Roberts, Sean Bailey, Tyra Bailey, Catherine Box, Karen Chaney, Rachel Harari, Margaret Mahoney, Melissa Perez, Christine Rosalia, Eric Shafarman, Maggie Vukovic, and Tanisha Young.

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    Michael J. Kieffer & Rose K. Vukovic

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Correspondence to Michael J. Kieffer.

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Kieffer, M.J., Vukovic, R.K. Growth in reading-related skills of language minority learners and their classmates: more evidence for early identification and intervention. Read Writ 26, 1159–1194 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11145-012-9410-7

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