Conducting Action Research in a Rural High School Setting Using Peers as Corrective Reading Instructors for Students with Disabilities

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of a peer-delivered Corrective Reading Program (CRP) (Engelmann, Hanner, & Johnson, 1989) with repeated reading in a rural high school setting. Students receiving peer-delivered instruction were pre- and posttested on the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Tests. Within program data were also taken. In addition, data were gathered on the performance of the peer instructors as well. The results of this study showed that, overall, students receiving the intervention over 1 academic year showed stable grade level performance in vocabulary and an increase of one and a half grade levels in comprehension on the Gates-MacGinitie. Students in level B1 of the CRP showed the opposite effect (increase of over 1 grade level in vocabulary and relatively stable performance in comprehension). Stable performance on both subtests was noted for the peer instructors. Other positive changes were noted in the within program data collected. Interobserver agreement data indicated the peer instructors collected data with a high degree of accuracy. The results are discussed in terms of the efficacy of using peers as instructors for students with disabilities in rural settings.