The course and malleability of reading achievement in elementary school: The application of growth curve modeling in the evaluation of a mastery learning intervention

Alfons A.M. Crijnen, Michael Feehan, Sheppard G. Kellam

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In a defined cohort of 363 Baltimore children, the growth of reading achievement over elementary school was found to follow a non-linear, cubic function. Subsequently, a Mastery Learning (ML) intervention designed to improve reading achievement was evaluated. Over first grade, a significant positive intervention effect was found with considerably more children in the ML condition making the expected achievement gain. However, the Growth Curve Model (GCM) of reading achievement for ML in later elementary school had a flatter slope than GCM for control children. This result was likely due to the finding that the GCM for those in the ML condition who failed to respond to the intervention in the short-term had a comparatively poorer outcome than the remaining children in both the ML and control conditions. Results are discussed within the framework of "Matthew-effects" which result in rich-get-richer and poor-get-poorer patterns of reading achievement.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)137-157
Number of pages21
JournalLearning and Individual Differences
Volume10
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1998
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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