Author

Jennifer Washington Anton*
Uma Elementary School, Upper Uma, Lubuagan, Kalinga, Philippines

Abstract

This study assessed the reading comprehension levels of Intermediate learners of Uma Elementary School and examined the factors affecting their performance. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed, involving 59 learners and three teachers as respondents. Data were collected using a survey questionnaire adapted from Legaspi (2016), alongside the Functional Literacy Assessment Tool (FLAT) and the Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (PHIL-IRI). The study focused on learner-related, language-related, family-related, school-related, and teacher-related factors that influence reading comprehension. Results revealed that most learners were 11 years old, predominantly male, and primarily spoke Ilocano or Kalinga as their first language. The ethnic composition was mainly Kalinga and Ilocano, with a majority having two or more siblings. Books were the most commonly available reading material at home. Among the factors affecting reading comprehension, language-related and student-related factors were perceived to influence learners to a great extent, while family-, school-, and teacher-related factors also contributed significantly. However, statistical analyses showed no significant differences in the extent of these factors when respondents were grouped according to profile variables. The findings highlight the importance of addressing linguistic and learner-centered challenges, particularly limited vocabulary, poor reading comprehension, and motivational issues. Implications include the need for targeted reading interventions, integration of engaging and diverse reading materials, and the promotion of supportive home literacy environments to enhance comprehension outcomes. The study contributes new knowledge regarding the interplay of multiple factors in reading development and emphasizes the necessity of holistic, context-sensitive strategies to support readers-at-risk.

Keywords: Reading comprehension, readers-at-risk, primary education, language-related factors, learner motivation, literacy development.

*Corresponding author/ Email: jennifer.anton@deped.gov.ph
DOI: http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS0502906

Recommended citation:
Anton, J. W. (2026). Assessing the reading comprehension level of intermediate learners of UMA Elementary School: Basis for instructional supervision framework. Pantao (The International Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences) 5 (2), 278-294. http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS0502906

Read the full text

References

Anderson, J. (2022). Foundational reading skills and academic success in primary grades. Journal of Early Literacy Research, 15(2), 45–61.

Asfaw, A., Tadesse, T., & Bekele, M. (2018). Factors affecting students’ reading comprehension in primary schools. International Journal of Education Research, 7(3), 112–124.

Banditvilai, C. (2020). Effect of reading strategies on English comprehension of students. Journal of Language and Literacy Education, 16(2), 56–70.

Benson, J., Smith, K., & Turner, P. (2017). Multi-method assessment for preventing and remediating learning difficulties in schools. School Psychology Review, 46(4), 325–340.

Brooks, J., & Frankel, L. (2018). Supporting struggling readers: Avoiding negative labeling in early literacy interventions. Educational Psychology Review, 30(3), 859–874.

Brown, R., Thompson, S., & Lee, K. (2019). Reading comprehension challenges among learning-disabled students: Implications for classroom practice. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 34(2), 99–108.

Brunfaut, T., Kok, R., & Vandekerckhove, R. (2021). Task type and reading comprehension performance of upper primary students. Reading Research Quarterly, 56(1), 87–102.

Capin, P., Fuchs, D., & Vaughn, S. (2022). Word reading deficits and reading comprehension in elementary students. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 55(1), 45–58.

Delgado, P., Vargas, C., Ackerman, R., & Salmerón, L. (2018). Paper-based reading versus digital reading: The role of time constraints. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1249. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01249

Department of Education. (2018). Policy guidelines on the administration of the Revised Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (Phil-IRI) (DepEd Order No. 14, s. 2018).

Department of Education. (2020a). Conduct of the “Read to Lead” project (DepEd Regional Memorandum No. 8, s. 2020).

Department of Education. (2020b). Guidelines on the implementation of “Read to Lead” project (DepEd Regional Memorandum No. 227, s. 2020).

Duong, N. (2019). English reading problems: Learner characteristics and contributing factors. International Journal of English Linguistics, 9(5), 112–121.

Estremera, M., & Estremera, G. (2018). Reading motivation and its impact on reading comprehension gains. Asian Journal of Education Studies, 6(1), 33–47.

Fitri, R. (2019). The relationship between reading interest and reading comprehension of primary learners. Journal of Literacy and Education Research, 12(2), 57–69.

Fitton, L., Jones, R., & Smith, H. (2018). Shared reading effects on English learners’ outcomes: A meta-analysis. Reading & Writing Quarterly, 34(4), 327–346.

Garrett, L., Morgan, T., & Williams, K. (2020). Designing reading interventions for at-risk learners: Challenges and future directions. Journal of Research in Reading, 43(2), 205–220.

Gilakjani, A., & Sabouri, N. (2019). A review of factors affecting reading comprehension of learners. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 10(1), 10–18.

Gubbels, J., van den Toren, M., & Driessen, G. (2019). Risk factors for school absenteeism and dropout: Implications for intervention. Educational Research Review, 26, 100–114.

Haerazi, H., Nugraha, D., & Susanto, H. (2020). ECOLA vs brainstorming: Improving reading comprehension among elementary students. International Journal of Instruction, 13(4), 345–360.

Haines, M. L., Hattie, J., & McDowell, A. (2018). Reading interventions and attainment of grade-level performance. Reading Psychology, 39(5), 456–475.

Al-Jarrah, H., & Ismail, N. S. (2018). Reading comprehension and difficulties among EFL learners in higher learning institutions. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 6(12). https://doi.org/10.11114/jets.v6i12.3595

İlhan, T., & Fırat, M. (2018). Socio-economic, cultural, and metacognitive factors affecting reading literacy. Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice, 18(6), 1234–1249.

Kardaleska, L., & Karovska-Ristovska, A. (2018). Revisiting the view of phonological and phonemic awareness as early predictors in reading difficulties. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 18(3), 369–386.

Kornilov, S., Grigorenko, E., & Nikitina, L. (2017). Cognitive predictors of reading difficulties in children. Learning and Individual Differences, 56, 67–76.

LeCroy, C. W., Whitaker, K., & Smith, T. (2019). Home visits and student academic achievement: Evidence from primary schools. School Community Journal, 29(2), 75–98.

Lervåg, A., & Aukrust, V. G. (2018). The role of listening comprehension in early and later reading development. Reading and Writing, 31, 1571–1587.

Lumapnet, C., & Andoy, M. (2017). Parental assistance and children’s reading outcomes. Philippine Journal of Education, 96(2), 45–61.

Meilani, R., et al. (2020). Reading habits and fluency among elementary students. Indonesian Journal of Educational Research, 3(1), 15–28.

Mphahlele, M., & Nel, C. (2018). ICT as a support strategy for learners with reading difficulties. South African Journal of Education, 38(3), 1–11.

Nash, R. (2018). Effectiveness of computer-assisted reading interventions. Computers & Education, 123, 1–13.

Nazzem, N. (2018). Pleasure reading and writing development. Journal of Literacy Research, 50(2), 187–202.

Noor Hanim Rahmati, & Sharifah Amani, S. (2018). Exploring reading issues among millennials and Gen Z. [Journal not specified].

Nurjanah, N. (2018). Vocabulary knowledge and digital reading performance among learners. Indonesian Journal of English Education, 5(1), 22–34.

Orellana, J., Santos, M., & Ramirez, P. (2020). Teachers’ awareness of student reading challenges and instructional strategies. Educational Review, 72(4), 495–512.

Phuong, T. (2022). Techniques to enhance reading comprehension in primary classrooms. Asian Journal of Education and Learning, 11(1), 23–37.

Razalli, A. R., Omar, A. F., & Hashim, R. (2018). Texts with pictures to improve reading comprehension for students with hearing impairment. International Journal of Special Education, 33(4), 845–860.

Roberts, G., Torgesen, J., & Rashotte, C. (2020). Effectiveness of reading interventions: A meta-analysis. Journal of Educational Psychology, 112(6), 1125–1143.

Romero, V., McMaster, K., & Shapiro, E. (2018). Summer reading interventions for students with reading disabilities. Reading Research Quarterly, 53(3), 297–318.

Saine, N. (2018). Computer-assisted remedial reading interventions. Learning Disabilities: A Contemporary Journal, 16(1), 45–64.

Scammaca, N., Roberts, G., & Vaughn, S. (2018). Academic vocabulary and reading comprehension for struggling readers. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 51(5), 489–501.

Shehzad, S. (2020). Reading boredom and its effects on reading comprehension. Journal of Educational Studies, 26(1), 89–102.

Stanley, L., Fuchs, D., & Fuchs, L. (2018). Longitudinal effects of early literacy skills on later reading comprehension. Reading and Writing, 31, 1461–1478.

Støle, H., Petersen, H., & Johansen, L. (2020). Screen reading vs. paper reading: Implications for student performance. Nordic Journal of Digital Learning, 12(3), 55–68.

Stranovzka, P., Kovac, M., & Havelka, J. (2019). Reading as a fundamental skill in learning. Journal of Literacy Research, 51(3), 321–338.

Suggate, S., Schaughency, E., & Reese, E. (2018). Early vocabulary and reading comprehension outcomes in later childhood. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 166, 99–117.

Syamsu Tang, A., Putra, R., & Hidayat, T. (2019). Humor-based reading to enhance comprehension. International Journal of Instruction, 12(2), 45–59.

Torres, R. (2019). Factors affecting reading comprehension: Learner, home, and instructional influences. Philippine Education Review, 16(1), 78–94.

Ulper, D., Van Der Meer, A., & Verhoeven, L. (2018). Development of reading comprehension across grade levels. Reading Psychology, 39(3), 256–273.

Wu, H., Lin, K., & Chen, L. (2019). Meta-cognitive reading strategies, autonomous motivation, and comprehension. Journal of Educational Psychology, 111(4), 645–659.

Xiaofeng, L. (2018). Parental presence and reading comprehension performance of children. International Journal of Early Childhood Education, 24(2), 101–112.

Yasemin, E., & Bulut, Z. (2018). Relationship between reading motivation and comprehension. Educational Research and Reviews, 13(5), 179–187.

Zarić, G., & Nagler, T. (2021). Orthographic knowledge and reading comprehension in struggling readers. Learning and Instruction, 74, 101–116.

Published in

Discover more from Pantao (The International Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences)

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading