Outcomes and Achievement of Children after Referral from Reading Recovery: A Comparative Study

Abstract

The aim of the project was to assess the progress that has been made over the past twenty years, in meeting the learning needs of the 1-2% of children unable to successfully complete Reading Recovery (around 1000 each year). These children, known as 'referrals', are hardest to teach children. Despite intensive support, they have still not been able to reach the reading level for their age (age level). They urgently require further assistance when their Reading Recovery lessons cease so the gains already made can be built upon, and before they fall further behind their peers. Clay and Tuck (1991) collected information on the outcomes and progress of a group of 1988 referrals two years after Reading Recovery. Schools were asked to complete questionnaires relating to the support students had received since being 'referred', and the children's reading and writing were assessed. They found that 51% of the children had been referred to specialists (but many had remained on waiting lists), and the other 49% had received school-based assistance of varying quality. 84% of the children did not reach age level, and most (63%) were reading more than two years below age level, or below norms. Clay and Tuck made some recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the services offered to referrals. Since then, various resources have been developed, and many schools have also been involved in government initiatives aiming to improve student achievement in literacy. The current study replicated Clay and Tuck's research design and collected data on a group of recent referrals (2008). Although more of the recent referrals received specialist support (85%), a similar number was found to be unsuccessful; 80% had not reached age level and 66% were reading more than two years below age level, or below norms. The results from this study suggest that most referrals are still not receiving the type of support necessary to reach age level. The extent to which Clay and Tuck's original recommendations have been implemented is reviewed and some further recommendations are made.