OATdb Archive

2009 - 2010

Reading Center

Goal
Reading Center Presentation Effectiveness
Increase student awareness and understanding that good time management strategies are essential for successful textbook reading.

Objective
Time Management Strategy Knowledge
After Reading Center presentation, students will successfully identify one time management strategy.

Indicator
Reading Strategy Presentation Evaluation A
Students will complete reading strategy presentation evaluation.


Criterion
Time Management Strategy Awareness
After presentation, 80% of students will name one time management strategy.

Finding
Time Management Effectiveness
Over 80% of presentation participants were able to name at least one time management strategy.


Action
Time Management
Raise mastery level to 85% using repetition and mnemonics for time management strategies during Reading Center Presentation.

Objective
Textbook Reading Strategy Knowledge
After Reading Center presentation, students will successfully name reading strategy acronym and for what each letter stands.

Indicator
Reading Strategy Presentation Evaluation B
Students will complete reading strategy presentation evaluation.


Criterion
Reading Strategy Awareness
After presentation, 75% of students will name reading strategy acronym and for what each letter stands.

Finding
Reading Strategy Effectiveness
Over 75% of presentation participants named reading strategy acronym and for what each letter stood.

Action
Reading Strategy
Raise mastery level to 80% by using repetition and mnemonics during the Reading Center Presentation.

Goal
Reading Center Tutoring Effectiveness
To assist students and community members with criticsl reading and thinking strategies.

Objective
Increase Client Knowledge Of Textbook Reading Strategies
The Reading Center will provide tutoring services that facilitate the growth and confidence of all students and community members by promoting research-based best practice reading strategies for expository texts.

Indicator
Tutoring Session Satisfaction Survey
After each tutoring session, clients will complete Tutoring Session Satisfaction Survey to indicate quality and effectiveness of tutoring session.  

Criterion
Mean Score On Tutoring Session Satisfaction Survey
The mean satisfaction score for all clients completing Tutoring Session Satisfaction Survey will be at least "3" on a Likert scale ranging from 1-5, with "1" indicating the least effectiveness and "5" indicating the most effectiveness.

Finding
Tutoring Session Effectiveness
After tutoring sessions, the mean score on the Tutoring Session Satisfaction Survey was 3.2.  In compiling the responses, the two main weaknesses of tutors were: (1) information was not clear; and (2) tutor could not answer specific questions.

Action
Tutoring Sessions
Tutors are graduate students who obtain training in the Reading Center; however, they are not teachers.  A literacy expert needs to be hired to assist with tutoring. We will raise the satisfaction level on Tutoring Session Satisfaction Survey to at least 3.5.

Goal
Reading Center Developmental Reading Effectiveness
To assist developmental reading students develop reading strategies through computerized tutorials and face-to-face tutoring, ahd mentoring.


Objective
Increase Developmental Student Reading Proficiency
Through visits to the Reading Center, developmental reading students have the opportunity complete computerized tutorials, spend time studying in a safe environment, and have access to tutoring, enrichment, and mentoring to improve reading effectiveness.

Indicator
Reading Center Transaction Report
Students logs into the Reading Center database when entering and departing the Reading Center.  Individual student reports are printed and given to developmental reading students every other week throughout the semester.


Criterion
Hours In Reading Center
To be successful in developmental reading, students are required to spend 15 hours in the Reading Center working on homework or computerized tutorials. 

Finding
Reading Center Hours
Over 80% of developmental reading students completed 15 hours or more in the Reading Center.  As the attachment suggests, some students spend more than 15 hours in the Center.

Indicator
Reading Road Trip Diagnostic Reports
Developmental reading students are required to complete 15 MyReadingLab computerized tutorials that complement homework assignments and guided practice and discussion in the classroom. 

Criterion
MyReadingLab Computerized Tutorials
Developmental reading students are required to complete 15 Reading Road Trip lessons attaining at least 80% on one practice exercise and one mastery test.

Finding
Computerized Tutorial Completion
Over 95% of developmental reading students completed 15 MyReadingLab computerized tutorials with at least a score of 80% on one practice exercise and one mastery test.  One student did not complete the 15 hours and, therefore, did not receive credit for the course.


Indicator
Nelson/Denny Vocabulary And Reading Comprehension Test
Developmental reading students are administered a pre- and post- Nelson/Denny Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension test.

Criterion
Nelson/Denny Vocabulary And Reading Comprehension Test Scores
Developmental reading students are administered the Nelson/Denny test at the beginning of the semester to inform instructor and student of vocabulary and reading comprehension proficiency with no required attainment level.  At the end of each semester students are administered the Nelson/Denny post-test on which they are required to attain a 10th grade vocabulary and reading comprehension level.

Finding
Nelson/Denny Grade Level Attainment
96% of the developmental students who attended class regularly and completed 15 hours in the Reading Center and 15 computerized tutorials attained a 10th grade level on the Nelson/Denny Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension Post-Test.  Of the three who did not meet the 10th grade level, one grew four levels from 4.5 to 8.7, one remained at the same level of 9.2, and one regressed from 9.7 to 9.6.

Action
Reading Center Effectiveness Actions
We will attempt to survey/interview students who did not complete 15 hours in the Reading Center, who did not attain an 80% on the Computerized tutorials, and who did not reach the 10th-grade level on the NDRT to determine what would have helped those students be more successful.  Some have reported just having a bad day when taking the NDRT.  Motivation certainly pays a key role in completing requirements.  The vast majority of the developmental reading students are motivated to complete the course successfully.  Once changes are implemented in the Reading Center, the criteria will include over 85% completing the 15 hours in the Reading Center, at least 85% completing the Computerized Tutorials with scores of 80%, and over 90% attaining the 10th-grade reading level on the NDRT.


Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Plan for continuous improvement The Reading Center staff will fine-tune modules of the Reading Center components to allow more students to be successful by doing the following:
1. more closely monitor students to encourage completion of the 15 hours at the Reading Center;
2. more closely mentor students to encourage a higher number of students completing the computerized tutorials at the specified level, particularly in the areas of vocabulary and comprehension;
3. work more closely with students to expand vocabulary and reading comprehension skills; and
4. work with tutors to increase satisfaction among Reading Center visitors; and
5. employ literacy expert to work with students requiring more expert help.