Article
Considering the Needs of English Language Learner Populations: An Examination of the Population Validity of Reading Intervention Research
Journal of Learning Disabilities
(2014)
Abstract
This article synthesizes reading intervention research studies intended for use with struggling or at-risk students to determine which studies adequately address population validity, particularly in regard to the diverse reading needs of English language learners. An extensive search of the professional literature between 2001 and 2010 yielded a total of 67 reading intervention studies targeting at-risk elementary students. Findings revealed that many current research studies fail to adequately describe the sample, including the accessible and target populations, and to disaggregate their findings based on demographic characteristics. When population validity issues are not addressed, researchers cannot generalize findings to other populations of students, and it becomes unclear what intervention strategies work, especially with English language learner student populations. However, 25 studies did specifically recognize and address the needs of English language learners, indicating more researchers are taking into consideration the diverse needs of other struggling student populations.
Disciplines
Publication Date
2014
DOI
10.1177/0022219412466702
Citation Information
Brooke A Moore and Janette Klingner. "Considering the Needs of English Language Learner Populations: An Examination of the Population Validity of Reading Intervention Research" Journal of Learning Disabilities Vol. 47 Iss. 5 (2014) ISSN: 0022-2194 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/brooke-moore/5/