ERIC Number: EJ1002172
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-6434
EISSN: N/A
An Analysis of Factors that Affect Struggling Readers' Achievement during a Technology-Enhanced STEM Astronomy Curriculum
Marino, Matthew T.; Black, Anne C.; Hayes, Michael T.; Beecher, Constance C.
Journal of Special Education Technology, v25 n3 p35-47 2010
This article reports the findings of a study examining independent variables that contributed to the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) achievement of students with reading difficulties who participated in a technology-enhanced astronomy curriculum. The curriculum incorporated key elements of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) theoretical framework. Participants (N = 1153) included middle school students from 64 inclusive science classrooms. A two-level hierarchical linear model was developed to determine the contribution of student- and teacher/classroom-level factors to the prediction of posttest and problem-solving scores. Results reveal differences across schools in the effect of being in a lower reading ability group on performance on the posttest and problem-solving measures, with some students performing at a level commensurate with their proficient reading peers. Factors associated with differential performance are identified. Implications of these findings are discussed. Areas for future research are identified. (Contains 6 tables and 4 footnotes.)
Descriptors: STEM Education, Astronomy, Reading Difficulties, Science Achievement, Technology Uses in Education, Problem Based Learning, Middle School Students, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Access to Education, Hierarchical Linear Modeling, Pretests Posttests, Problem Solving, Student Characteristics, Teacher Characteristics, School Effectiveness, Gender Differences
Technology and Media Division of the Council for Exceptional Children. 2900 Crystal Drive Suite 1000, Arlington, VA 22202. e-mail: contactus@tamcec.org; Web site: http://www.tamcec.org/jset
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A