Teachers all across the country have varying ideas on how to increase their students' reading test scores at every grade level. The National Center for Educational Statistics [accessed January 16, 2008] has compiled information regarding student test scores. The information may be surprising to some teachers.
When looking at test scores for twelfth grade students, there were some factors that seemed to routinely increase test scores, including things both inside and outside of the teacher's control. Likewise, there were factors that surprisingly made little or no difference in the students' test scores.
Factors that Increased Student Reading Scores
On average, female students score better on standardized reading tests than male students. Although this factor is out of the control of the teacher, this shows that teachers should be focusing efforts on their male students. Likewise, the more education the parents have, the better their child does. Again, teachers cannot control this factor, but can encourage parents to continue their own education and learning in order to have an impact on their children.
Other factors that show an increase in student test scores include:
- Reading for enjoyment
- Reading is a favorite activity
- Positive teacher attitude
- Writing about what you read at least once a month
- Books read outside of school
Given this information, teachers should focus on these areas in their reading instruction. It may be interesting to many that the teacher's attitude has an impact on student achievement, and teachers should take this information seriously. Remaining positive, encouraging students to do their best and holding students to high standards does make a difference.
Teachers should also make it a point to have students keep a reading journal, or provide other opportunities to tie reading into writing. Although the statistics did show an improvement in test scores when students wrote about what they read once or twice a month, there was no additional improvement the more frequently students spent time writing about their reading. Therefore, although it is important, a teacher should not dedicate time each and every lesson to this type of activity.
Finally, teachers need to find ways to focus on making reading fun and having students read outside of school. This may end up being the most important homework assignment teachers can give their students. It is prudent for teachers to introduce a variety of genre's to their students and encourage students to read whatever they find interesting, in order to encourage a love of reading.
Factors that Do Not Influence Reading Scores
Surprisingly, there were many things that teachers assume will increase reading scores that actually made no difference, according to the statistical data provided on the NCES website. Included in this list are:
- Assigning homework that students must complete with parents
- Using parents as aids in the classroom
- Making predictions
- Reading aloud
- Silent reading
- The amount of time students spend watching television
This data was taken from twelfth grade student test results for 2005. The results for those things that improved student test scores did show a statistically significant difference. This means that it is worth teacher's time to focus their lessons in this direction.
You may be interested in more information about standardized state testing including more information on raising student test scores.
You can also find more more information about teaching reading.
Jennifer Wagaman - Jennifer is a mother of 2 and has both public, private and administrative experience in the education field.
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