Leveraging Science to Accelerate Reading Achievement in a Summer Learning Program for Low-Income Children
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2025
Publisher
Springer
Source Publication
Early Childhood Education Journal
Source ISSN
1082-3301
Original Item ID
DOI: 10.1007/s10643-025-01982-z
Abstract
This study examined the effects of a 4-week summer reading program for primary-grade children who read below grade level given an hour of integrated literacy and science instruction following 90 min of targeted reading instruction. Children's reading achievement, science knowledge, and science attitudes were compared pre- and post-program, and their reading gain was compared with that of children who attended the program in summers when the integrated instruction was not offered. Students in each condition showed significantly greater reading achievement at posttest each summer. Integrated literacy and science students showed significantly greater conceptual science knowledge at posttest, comparable pretest and posttest science attitudes, and significantly greater reading gain relative to students who did not participate in the integrated instruction on the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test-4. The findings demonstrate that integrated literacy and science instruction can accelerate primary-grade students' reading achievement in summer learning programs while developing their conceptual science knowledge.
Recommended Citation
Clark, Kathleen F. and McNew-Birren, Jill, "Leveraging Science to Accelerate Reading Achievement in a Summer Learning Program for Low-Income Children" (2025). College of Education Faculty Research and Publications. 651.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/edu_fac/651
Comments
Early Childhood Education Journal, (2025). DOI.