This article summarizes a case study of action research interventions meant to improve reading comprehension among high school students who struggle with reading. It is written for teachers, reading coordinators, and school leaders who want to see how classroom-based action research can support struggling readers. It explains why comprehension matters, the four interventions used, and the results the study reports.
On this page 6 sections
Why reading comprehension matters
Reading comprehension is the ability to understand, analyze, and evaluate written materials. Many high school students struggle with it, and this hurts both their academic performance and their future opportunities.
Comprehension is a complex process with several parts (National Reading Panel, 2000):
- Vocabulary knowledge
- Knowledge of text structure
- Background knowledge
- Reading strategies
Research shows that struggling readers often lack enough background knowledge, vocabulary, and reading strategies. This makes it hard for them to understand and engage with texts (Francis et al., 2019). High school students with weak comprehension are at risk of falling behind, dropping out of school, and having limited career options (Oakhill et al., 2015). Effective interventions are therefore important.
What action research is
Action research is when teachers or other education professionals study and reflect on their own practice in a systematic way to improve student outcomes (Mertler, 2016). It works well for reading comprehension because teachers can:
- Tailor interventions to the specific needs of their own students
- Adjust their practice based on ongoing feedback
- Use data analysis to decide what to change next
The four interventions in the case study
In this case study, the researcher used action research to design and carry out four interventions for struggling high school readers.
1. Vocabulary instruction
Before students read a text, the researcher taught specific vocabulary words related to it. The words were then reinforced during and after reading through teacher-led discussions and activities.
2. Text structure instruction
The researcher explicitly taught students how to identify and analyze the structure of a text. This included headings, subheadings, and text features such as tables, graphs, and diagrams.
3. Reading strategies instruction
Students learned several reading strategies to support their understanding:
| Strategy | What students do |
|---|---|
| Predicting | Guess what the text will be about or what comes next |
| Questioning | Ask questions about the text while reading |
| Summarizing | Restate the main points in their own words |
| Clarifying | Work out parts of the text that are confusing |
The researcher modeled these strategies and scaffolded them during reading activities, giving support until students could use them on their own.
4. Feedback and reflection
The researcher gave students ongoing feedback on their comprehension skills. Students were encouraged to reflect on their progress and identify which strategies worked best for them.
Results of the study
According to the case study, the interventions significantly improved the reading comprehension of the targeted students:
- Scores on comprehension assessments showed a statistically significant increase.
- Students showed greater engagement and confidence in reading activities.
- Students said they appreciated the personalized interventions and felt supported in their efforts to improve.
Key takeaways for teachers
- Struggling high school readers need targeted interventions that address their specific needs and adapt as they progress.
- Pre-teaching vocabulary, teaching text structure, modeling reading strategies, and giving regular feedback can work together to build comprehension.
- Action research lets you tailor these interventions to your own class, analyze your students’ data, and adjust your practice based on feedback.
By using action research in this way, educators can help struggling readers succeed academically and prepare for future opportunities.
Frequently asked questions
What is action research in education?
Action research is when teachers or other education professionals systematically study and reflect on their own practice to improve student outcomes (Mertler, 2016). It lets them tailor interventions to their students and adjust based on feedback and data.
What interventions were used to improve reading comprehension in this case study?
The researcher used four interventions: vocabulary instruction, text structure instruction, reading strategies instruction, and ongoing feedback and reflection.
Which reading strategies were taught to the students?
Students were taught predicting, questioning, summarizing, and clarifying. The researcher modeled and scaffolded these strategies during reading activities.
What were the results of the interventions?
Students showed a statistically significant increase in comprehension assessment scores, along with greater engagement and confidence in reading. They also reported feeling supported by the personalized interventions.
Why do some high school students struggle with reading comprehension?
Research cited in the article shows that struggling readers often lack enough background knowledge, vocabulary, and reading strategies, which makes texts hard to understand and engage with.
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