Undergraduate Thesis
Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English

University of Rizal System, Rodriguez, Rizal
2014

There were 50 students involved in the initial stage of the conduct of the study. These 50 students were given a McCall Crabb Standardized reading test. From the result on the reading test, the researchers selected the 15 students who got the lowest scores. This scores were as follows: Case No. 1: Reading Material score of 4.2 (4th grade and 2 months of school); Case No.2 Reading Material score of 6.2 (6th grade and 2 months of school); Case No.3: Reading Material score of 5.1 (5th grade and 1 month); Case No. 4: Reading Material score of 4.7 (4th grade and 7 months of school); Case No. 5: Reading Material score of 4.8 (4th grade and 8 months); Case No. 6: Reading Material score of 5.1 (5th grade and 1 month); Case No. 7: Reading Material score of 5.3 (5th grade and 3 months of school); Case No. 8: Reading Material score of 4.7 (4th grade and 7 months); Case No. 9: Reading Material score of 4.5 (4th grade and 5 months of school); Case No. 10: Reading Material score of 5.3 (5th grade and 3 months of school); Case No. 11: Reading Material score of 5.7 (5th grade and 7 months of school): Case No. 12: Reading Material score of 4.9 (4th grade and 9 months of school); Case No. 13: Reading Material score of 5.1 (5th grade and 1 month of school); Case No. 14: Reading Material score of 5.7 (5th grade and 7 months of school); and Case No. 15: Reading Material score of 4.7 (4th grade and 7 months of school). After identifying the levels, the researchers planned an intervention program. They oriented the students why they have to undergo such program and why the 15 respondents need a help in guiding them in reading.

Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions: What are the problems and difficulties faced by the academically challenged student? How did the respondents perform in the reading intervention? What significant improvements on their reading level are evident after these strategies were applied?

Based on the data gathered from the respondents, the following were obtained: The problem of the academically challenged students is that their reading level is lower than to the reading level of a grade 8 student. These respondents have different difficulties in terms of reading. Some reasons involve tardiness and not engaging themselves in reading. Others have problems when it comes to pronunciation of words while others still have many unencountered words that hinder them in understanding the content of the passage presented to them.

During the Intervention program some of the respondents are not attentive in reading because their focus and interest in reading are not present. Others are asking questions about the content of the text and trying to understand what is presented in the text. Some look nervous during the program. The significant improvements in the reading comprehension of the students where they can read the passage and understand it, the way they pronounce words were also improved and the interest and focus also improved as well because they were given chances to improve their reading difficulties.

Based on the findings above, the following conclusions were drawn: the respondents' problem is that their reading level is lower that the grade level of a grade 8 student. Some respondents performed during the Intervention program with less attention and focus in reading while others are trying to understand the text presented to them despite of their reading difficulties. The respondents improved in reading through undergoing Intervention program that gave them the opportunity to improve their reading difficulties.

On the basis of the findings and conclusions the following recommendations are offered: classroom teachers should make the initial instruction in reading a pleasant experience and enjoyable one by introducing to them variety of books so that they will develop interest in reading. Teachers of English should provide more reading exercises to enhance the reading skills of their students. The school should obtain a complete set of the McCall Crabb reading materials to improve the readings skills and comprehension level of the respondents. Students should be oriented also on the factors that might affect their reading abilities. The future researchers should link this study to other studies to be done and continue to search for a better instruction in English reading, which will be beneficial to our country.