Learner Analysis

Introduction

The learner analysis was conducted to learn about the target population that will be using the reading comprehension unit. The main focus of the analysis was to find information that would help create a comprehension unit and help teach students the skills to understand what they were reading. To do this Criterion-Referenced Tests (CRT) scores were examined and a survey was created to investigate teachers’ ideas about reading comprehension.

The CRT scores were analyzed and showed that 30% of students in 3rd grade scored below the 80% required for passing the reading comprehension part of the test.

The survey was distributed to all third grade teachers at Enterprise Elementary. The survey included five items that dealt with teachers’ ideas about reading comprehension. The survey was designed to gain a deeper understanding of what the teachers thought would improve comprehension, and can be found in appendix A.

Demographic Information

The 3rd grade participants in the study comprised of 65 students from two classes. There were 34 boys and 31 girls, ages 8 and 9.

The class was made up of students that ranged in ability levels. There were 5 English as Second Language learners who tested below grade level on reading comprehension part of the CRT and 8 special education students who were also behind grade level in their reading progress.

Relevant Group Characteristics

Enterprise Elementary is a Title One school with about 45% of the students either receiving reduced or free lunch. In this participant group, 15 students were below grade level according to a teacher administrated Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA).

Prior Knowledge of the Topic

An assessment of the target audience’s prior knowledge indi...

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...h facts about plants, animals, and the world around her.

As the students are instructed there was an awareness that they all learn differently. Many of the students were capable of learning through a variety of different teaching approaches. The reading comprehension unit allowed the students opportunities to access their strengths and learn in a way that is suitable to them.

Cultural Characteristics

Enterprise Elementary is a rural school in Enterprise, Utah. According to the

2000 census there were about 1300 people living in Enterprise. The racial makeup of the town in 2000 was approximately 93% white, less than 1% Native American, less than 1% Asian, less than 1% from other races, and about 1% from two or more races. In Enterprise a little more than 3% were Hispanic or Latino. The students of the school reflected the demographic makeup of the community.