The open court reading program in urban schools
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Authors
Mitchell, Lance
Issue Date
2004
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Educational administration
Alternative Title
Abstract
Low tests scores in reading for this nation’s primary grade students and the political environment have intensified efforts by researchers to find and develop effective reading programs and instruction. In particular, the focus is on under-performing schools in urban areas with high populations of economically disadvantaged students. The major issue or question is what reading program will raise sagging test scores in these schools. This proposal examines the current research conducted on a reading program in existence for over forty years, Open Court, and its effectiveness in raising test scores in urban schools that are underperforming. The majority of research available for the Open Court program suggests that it raises test scores in schools with high populations of economically disadvantaged students and has been duplicated in multiple settings. The opposing research suggest that Open Court does not consistently raise test scores but rather is being implemented and supported as a result of undue political influence. Further, a new proposal to study the Open Court Program at an urban school is defined. It proposes studying the effectiveness of Open Court through analyzing test data in addition to in-depth surveys and interviews with administrators, teachers, parents and students.