An Examination of Reading Skills and Reading Outcomes for Youth Involved in a Crime Prevention Program. Issue 6 (2nd November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Metsala, Jamie L.; David, Margaret D.; Brown, Sarah
• Is Part Of: Reading and writing quarterly. Volume 33:Issue 6(2017)
• Page Start: 549
• Page End: 562
• Publication Date: 2017-11-02
• Subjects: Reading disability -- Periodicals; Language arts -- Remedial teaching -- Periodicals; Learning disabilities -- Periodicals; 371.91405
• DOI: 10.1080/10573569.2016.1268081
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1057-3569

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study examined the incidence of reading impairments, the reading profiles, and the outcomes of a reading intervention for youth involved in a comprehensive crime prevention program. Rates of reading impairments were between 55% and 61%. Reading profiles for participants with reading comprehension impairments showed deficits in phonological decoding and word reading similar to a comparison group without behavioral risks. A subset of the prevention program participants and an age- and reading level–matched comparison group received a phonology- and word-focused reading intervention. Following the intervention, both groups showed reliable and academically meaningful improvements on word- and text-level reading outcomes. The comparison group tended to have higher scores on reading comprehension; however, both groups made significant gains in this area. The reading profiles and positive outcomes in this study suggest that word-focused reading remediation will be effective for youth at imminent risk for antisocial conduct and involvement with the criminal justice system.