They Can Succeed

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect on sixth-grade pupils' rending abilities when sixth-grade science materials were rewritten to a lower level of readability.

One unit of a sixth-grade science textbook was analysed and rewritten to a “third-grade” level of readability. Four hundred sixth-grade pupils were randomly assigned to the control and experimental groups. The control Ss rend the grade level material while experimental Ss read the rewritten text. Subjects completed a comprehension test after reading each of three assignments.

Using analysis of variance procedures, the mean comprehension scores and reading rates of the experimental group were found to be significantly higher (.05 level) than those of the control group.