A comparison of reading comprehension knowledge in above average,average and below average comprehenders: A study in metacomprehension

Differences which exist between different groups of reading comprehenders were examined through an interview approach. Thirty sixth graders, representing above average, average and below average reading comprehenders, were interviewed as they completed 4 sets of reading comprehension exercises. Statistically significant differences were found between the three groups for correct monitoring of textual information and answering strategies: unsuccessful use of recall. Significant differences were found between the above average and below average groups for, schema about text structure; schema about solution strategies; knowledge of the given text; and incorrect monitoring of textual information. The above average and average comprehenders were found to have a significant difference on the variable, answering strategies; unsuccessful use of lookbacks. The results are discussed in terms of metacomprehension ability.