1. A Meta-Analysis of Studies Examining the Effect of Whole Language Instruction on the Literacy of Low-SES StudentsWilliam H. JeynesStephen W. Littell Presented by Randal I. Queen Radford University

2. Whole Language vs. Basal Instruction • Whole Language • Whole pieces of literature • Functional language • Basal Instruction • Abridged or segmented texts • Direct instruction in isolated skills • Phonics • Child centered vs. teacher centered

3. Purpose • To determine if whole language reading instruction is beneficial for increasing reading achievement among primary school students with low SES. • Decreasing reading achievement, especially in states that have implemented whole language • Low SES students receive little attention from Whole language advocates

4. Importance • Accountability • “No Child Left Behind” • IDEA • Targeting low SES students • Determines success of educational program • Mathew Effect

5. Literature Review • 1966-1994 • Method • Electronic Sources • PsychInfo • ERIC • Sociological Abstracts • Dissertation Abstracts • Studies • 16 • Reported using 14 • Data for 16 (1 w/out effect size) in table

6. Studies & Statistical Methods • Empirical studies • Kindergarten to third-grade students w/ low SES • Statistics • Means and sd’s • T-test • F-test statistic • Pre and posttest scores • Effect Size (d) • Hedge’s “g” (pooled standard deviation)

7. Potential Moderators • Reading Instruction • Definitional Purity • Pure, specific, broad, eclectic • Quality, duration, and year of study • Standardized vs. non-standardized outcome measures

8. Results

9. Standardized vs. Non-Standardized Tests

10. Conclusions • Basal Approach is better than Whole Language for low-SES students • Especially when using standardized outcome measures • Whole language should not be totally counted out • Some positive results in purest form • More research needed

11. Cont…… • Who wins? • Extremely political • How bout’ a little of both!!!!

12. Criticisms • Explain more!!! • Discrepancy between written text and tables • Hard copy vs. Electronic version