The DISTAR Reading and Language Program: Study of its effectiveness as a method for the initial teaching of reading

McCabe, T.A.

Abstract:

This study examined the effect of the DISTAR Reading and Language programs on the reading achievement of pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and elementary students. Three hundred and nine students participated in this study with 152 in the experimental group (DISTAR) and 157 in the control group (basal reading program). There were two pre-kindergarten, three kindergarten, and three first grade classrooms in both the experimental and control groups. The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) was administered for pre- and posttest measures. The Boehm Test of Basic Concepts and the Wide Range Achievement Test in reading were used for posttest measures only. Results indicated that first grade students in the experimental group recorded an average gain of 6.4 on the PPVT, while students in the control group recorded a gain of 3.5. Kindergarten students in the experimental group outgained students in the control group and recorded mean and median scores on a first grade level. Median scores for kindergarten students in the experimental group were significantly higher than kindergarten students in the control group. Results from all other tests indicated students in the control group outscored the students in the experimental group. (Copyright © 2011, National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI). All rights reserved).

Research areas:

• Project Follow Through

Year:

1974

Main publication type:

Program Effectiveness

Subtype:

Article

Keywords:

DISTAR; reading; language; Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test; Boehm Test of Basic Concepts; Wide Range Achievement Test

Source:

Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Massachusetts: Amherst, MA

Design type:

Pretest Posttest Control Group Design

Fidelity monitored:

Yes

Students included:

At-risk students, Hispanic students, African American students, Asian students, Caucasian students, low-SES students, preschool students, kindergarten students, elementary students, English as a Second Language (ESL) students, English Language Learner

Other tags:

DISTAR Reading, DISTAR Language, reading, language, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Boehm Test of Basic Concepts, Wide Range Achievement Test in reading

Location/Setting:

New York city, elementary school

Note:

ERIC Document Retrieval Service No. ED 102498