Kristen D. Beach

This systematic review examined 63 vocabulary interventions for students with learning disabilities (LD) in Grades 3 to 8, reported 1978–2023. The review focused on instructional approaches, depth of processing, dosage, outcome measures, and study quality. Interventions included direct ( n = 33), mnemonic ( n = 20), strategic ( n = 6), or combined ( n = 4) approaches. Interventions lasted no more than 14 weeks, with the exception of one multiyear program. Mnemonic instruction was the most time-efficient, followed by direct, combined, and strategic approaches. Twenty-one studies (11 group design, 10 single-case design [SCD]) met quality standards. Standardized effect sizes on researcher-designed vocabulary measures ranged from 0.13 to 3.04 in group designs; seven SCD studies showed functional relations on vocabulary. Five of the 21 studies also included researcher-designed comprehension measures, with standardized effects for comprehension ranging from 0.41 to 1.51 in group designs, and two SCD studies demonstrating functional relations. Direct instruction emerged as a common and effective method for improving vocabulary and, occasionally, comprehension. Mnemonic instruction also yielded strong vocabulary outcomes, though the supporting research is dated. Strategic and combined approaches were underrepresented and warrant further investigation to better understand their potential for enhancing vocabulary and comprehension for students with LD.

This article provides a review and practice-based examples of three research-supported approaches to vocabulary instruction for students with learning disabilities (LD). In the first half of the article, we introduce and discuss the research bases for semantic, mnemonic, and strategic approaches to vocabulary instruction. Each approach encompasses a range of instructional activities that educators can select depending on relevant words for instruction and their instructional goals. In the last half, we use a middle-grade science passage along with vocabulary words from that passage to demonstrate how semantic, mnemonic, and strategic approaches can be emphasized or combined to promote text comprehension and vocabulary learning for children with LD.

Teacher preparation programs (TPPs) can equip pre-service teachers (PSTs) with skills to implement evidence-based reading interventions with fidelity by engaging PSTs in carefully designed clinical experiences with feedback via coaching. To individualize support and facilitate a responsive approach to feedback centered on PSTs’ levels of fidelity, first, this study examined the impact of a multilevel coaching intervention on PSTs’ fidelity of implementation of an evidence-based reading intervention during a tutoring clinical experience. Second, this study examined PSTs’ perceptions of the feasibility, effectiveness, and future impact of the multilevel coaching intervention. Results of a single-case, multiple baseline across participants design indicated a functional relation between the multilevel coaching intervention and PSTs’ fidelity, inclusive of both structural and process dimensions. Furthermore, PSTs found the multilevel coaching intervention to be socially valid, indicating the intervention was feasible, effective, and impactful on their future teaching experiences. Major implications for teacher preparation and coaching support include (a) providing PSTs with authentic clinical experiences, inclusive of coaching support, when implementing EBPs; (b) viewing fidelity as a multidimensional construct that can inform coaching support and teacher practices; and (c) enhancing TPPs with experiences that impact PSTs’ perceptions about their own ability to teach reading.

Although research related to the Science of Reading has documented the positive effects of explicit, systematic reading instruction for all students, students from historically marginalized groups often experience differential opportunities to learn and are likely to perform lower than their peers on large scale measures of reading achievement. These differences may be further exacerbated by summer learning loss (SLL), in which student academic progress stagnates or declines during the summer months. Providing summertime academic interventions, specifically in reading, has been one proposed solution for mitigating SLL. The present exploratory study examined the impact of a comprehensive approach to summer literacy intervention that included evidence-based reading instruction in foundational reading skills (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency) and more advanced disciplinary literacy skills on student reading-related outcomes for rising 1st-3rd grade students. on student reading-related outcomes for rising first, second, and third graders from an under-resourced, urban school. The majority of students who participated in the programming were from historically marginalized populations and low-income families and included students with diverse literacy needs. with 70% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, and included students with diverse literacy skills, students with developmental disabilities, and emergent bilingual learners. Students were assessed pre-post using norm-referenced assessments of phonemic segmentation, nonsense word reading, and oral reading fluency as well as curriculum embedded Mastery Tests. Results indicated that students made significant growth or maintained measured reading skills. Results indicated that rising first grade students made significant growth pre-post on measures of phonemic segmentation fluency, nonsense word reading, and Mastery Tests. Rising 2nd grade students demonstrated significant growth on Mastery Tests measures and maintained on other measures. Rising 3rd grade students demonstrated significant growth on aspects of nonsense word reading and maintained on other measures. Findings from this study indicate that a summer literacy intervention designed to address both foundational and disciplinary literacy skills may improve reading-related outcomes for students from economically and culturally diverse backgrounds.

This pilot randomised controlled trial study investigated the impact of Reading Research to Classroom Practice professional development (PD) on elementary teachers’ knowledge of reading skills. This PD, developed by a United States’ state education agency, is accredited by the International Dyslexia Association. Teachers (n = 34) were randomly assigned to a treatment or wait-list control (WLC) group and participated in the 5-day, 30-hour in-person PD with up to 10 hours asynchronous application activities. Teachers completed pre- and post-knowledge surveys measuring the impact of the PD on their knowledge related to reading skills. Teachers completed a social validity survey examining their perceptions of the PD. After controlling for pre-test differences, teachers in the treatment group outscored WLC teachers on the knowledge measure at post-test. Following treatment, WLC teachers’ growth in knowledge was statistically equivalent to the growth that treatment teachers experienced. Teachers felt the PD improved their knowledge of effective reading practices. Implications for practice and suggestions for future PD are provided.

This exploratory investigation examined the transformation of a traditional summer reading intervention (SRI) to synchronous virtual format in response to school closures due to COVID-19. Goals were to adapt and describe the adaptation of the in-person intervention to the virtual environment, examine program outcomes, and understand tutor and caregiver perspectives of virtual SRI. SRI involved tutor training, coaching, implementation of evidence-based practices, and student access to physical and virtual learning tools. Thirty-five low-income rising second and third graders who read below grade level, 13 tutors, and five caregivers participated. In summer 2020, trained tutors implemented Sound Partners in 1:1 thirty-minute Zoom sessions for 22 days. Data included students’ pre and posttest reading outcomes, instructional fidelity, and tutor and caregiver perceptions. Key considerations for the transformation of the intervention centered on intervention content and learning environment, attendance, and tutor selection and training. Results indicated strong student attendance and tutor fidelity. Students maintained reading fluency and accuracy skills, and improved by approximately 10 percentage points on curriculum-based mastery tests (p <.001, d = 1.25 to 1.30). Tutors and caregivers reported virtual SRI was feasible and effective. Results highlight the potential for positive outcomes when SRI is provided virtually.