Study Shows Jamestown Reading Navigator Causes Strong Growth in Reading Skills of Middle, High School Students

Struggling readers using Glencoe/McGraw-Hill's Jamestown Reading Navigator showed significant improvement in their reading skills, with some reading a half-grade level higher after only seven weeks of instruction, according to a study from the National Dropout Prevention Center (NDPC) at Clemson University.

The study found that middle and high school students reading below grade level demonstrated statistically significant improvement once they used Jamestown Reading Navigator, a reading intervention program for middle and high school students. A control group not exposed to the program did not demonstrate overall improvement in reading skills.

The study assessed the ability of Jamestown Reading Navigator to improve reading performance among struggling students during the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school years in multiple districts and schools nationwide. Two school districts included in the report are Davenport Community Schools in Davenport, Iowa and San Juan Unified Schools in Carmichael, Calif.

Davenport Community Schools

Data was analyzed for three groups of Davenport high school students enrolled in nine-week reading improvement courses for 90 minutes a day, five days a week.

Students who used Jamestown Reading Navigator (217 test students) and completed Group Reading Assessment and Diagnostic Evaluation (GRADE) pre- and post-tests demonstrated statistically significant improvement in reading skills, including comprehension and vocabulary. Test students were capable of reading higher level reading materials successfully (one half a year higher) after approximately seven weeks with the program.

Students who experienced a different reading improvement program (61 control students) did not demonstrate overall improvement in their reading skills, according to GRADE results.

San Juan Unified Schools

Following approximately five months of Jamestown Reading Navigator in full-year classroom situations (50-60 minutes a day, five days a week), San Juan middle and high school students demonstrated statistically significant reading improvement, as measured by their GRADE pre- and post-tests.

The 67 test students read successfully using higher grade level materials after five months with the program. In fact, these students read materials approximately one half-grade level higher. In comparison, the 69 control students did not demonstrate comparable improvement in overall reading skills during the same time interval of instruction.

Teachers' and students' perception of Jamestown Reading Navigator

A longitudinal aspect of this same study assessed teachers' and students' perceptions of the program. The majority of students' surveyed expressed satisfaction with Jamestown Reading Navigator, indicated that they felt the program helped them become better readers, and said they wanted their teachers to continue using it in their classes.

Teachers reported that their students enjoyed using Jamestown Reading Navigator and noted improvements in their attitudes toward reading, state assessment scores, and oral reading fluency. This finding relates importantly to the effects of program participation on graduation rates for high school students and successful transfer into high school for middle school students.

About Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

Glencoe/McGraw-Hill is part of McGraw-Hill School Solutions Group (MHSSG). The group combines Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, which focuses on Grades PreK-6, and Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, which serves Grades 6-12. MHSSG is the only major educational publishing business to provide a comprehensive approach to the development of print and digital instructional materials from pre-kindergarten through high school. Additional information is available at http://www.glencoe.com/.

About McGraw-Hill Education

McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, is a leading global provider of print and digital instructional, assessment and reference solutions that empower professionals and students of all ages. McGraw-Hill Education has offices in 33 countries and publishes in more than 60 languages. Additional information is available at http://www.mheducation.com/.

National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

The National Dropout Prevention Center/Network (NDPC/N) was begun in 1986 to serve as a clearinghouse on issues related to dropout prevention and to offer strategies designed to increase the graduation rate in America's schools. Over the years, the NDPC/N has become a well-established national resource for sharing solutions for student success. It does so through its clearinghouse function, active research projects, publications, and through a variety of professional development activities. In addition, the NDPC/N conducts a variety of third party evaluations and Program Assessment and Reviews. Additional information is available at http://www.dropoutprevention.org/.

  Contacts:  Tom Stanton
             McGraw-Hill Education
             (212) 904-3214
             tom_stanton@mcgraw-hill.com

             Yvonne Pentz
             Paul Werth Associates
             (614) 224-8114
             ypentz@paulwerth.com

SOURCE: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

CONTACT: Tom Stanton
McGraw-Hill Education
+1-212-904-3214
tom_stanton@mcgraw-hill.com
Yvonne Pentz
Paul Werth Associates
+1-614-224-8114
ypentz@paulwerth.com

Web site: http://www.glencoe.com/
http://www.mheducation.com/
http://www.dropoutprevention.org/