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Effects of Poor Reading Comprehension

Poor reading comprehension among Philippine high school students negatively impacts their academic performance and social development. Only 19.4% of students meet reading proficiency standards. Struggling readers face challenges in all subjects requiring reading and risk lower self-esteem. To address this, the government implemented "Catch-up Fridays" for extra reading practice. However, this faces issues as students often skip these sessions or do not take them seriously. Improved strategies are still needed to help more students improve their comprehension skills before graduating.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
169 views3 pages

Effects of Poor Reading Comprehension

Poor reading comprehension among Philippine high school students negatively impacts their academic performance and social development. Only 19.4% of students meet reading proficiency standards. Struggling readers face challenges in all subjects requiring reading and risk lower self-esteem. To address this, the government implemented "Catch-up Fridays" for extra reading practice. However, this faces issues as students often skip these sessions or do not take them seriously. Improved strategies are still needed to help more students improve their comprehension skills before graduating.

Uploaded by

pepitoayricamae
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Impact of Poor Reading Comprehension on Graduating Students in S.Y.

2023-2024

"Reading brings knowledge, and knowledge is power; therefore, reading is


power,” (Chase, 2017, book no.2). Thus, what is going to happen to students who
graduate but still struggle with reading comprehension? First and foremost, reading
comprehension refers to the ability to comprehend text and contain vocabulary
knowledge and it plays a significant role in the overall academic performance of
students. According to a report published by the Programme for International Student
Assessment (PISA) only 19.4% of junior and senior high school students met the
required competency level in overall reading literacy (Yubokmee, 2022). Many high
school graduating seniors are not fluent readers and have not hit literacy benchmarks.
Furthermore, the Philippines landed in the bottom 10 out of 81 countries in reading
comprehension, mathematics and science and showed minimal improvement, in
accordance with the result of the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment
(Servallos, 2023).
Additionally, since reading comprehension is essential for all other academic
skills and subjects, it will have a drastic impact on the academic performance of
students. As high school students studying at Agusan National High School, we have
observed that a lot of grade 10 students are still struggling with reading and
comprehending English text. Poor reading comprehension can affect students in
academic, emotional, and social manner: students will find themselves struggling in
various aspects in their education as reading comprehension is essential in every
subject which can lead to poor academic performance; furthermore, students are also
affected emotionally due to self- esteem deterioration (70% of students will learn to read
regardless of instruction; however, 30% requires explicit, systematic phonics
instructions); lastly, poor reading comprehension will also affect them socially, to be
more precise, they will suffer from isolation (psychology and sociology suggest that
students naturally become friends with peers similar to them in academic standing),
(Barnett, 2010).
Thus, to address the issues related to poor reading comprehension, Vice
President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte implemented sweeping reforms to
improve students’ performance in mathematics, science, and reading comprehension.
This includes “Catch-up Fridays” in public schools, wherein students will spend every
Friday mastering and enhancing their reading skills (Servallos, 2023). By implementing
catch-up Friday, high school students will benefit from enhancing their reading
comprehension and increasing their moral values. However, there are various
downsides to the implementation of catch-up Fridays, including the failure of students to
cooperate (they regard catch-up Fridays as a holiday and treat them as less important
than the other days of the week, so they tend to have a high inclination to be absent),
the tendency to be unserious and play games during the reading session, and the
declaration of half-day sessions.
This paper aims to identify the detrimental effects of poor reading comprehension
on graduating students: a call for improved strategies in high school institutions. It first
discusses the percentage of junior and senior high school students who encounter
struggles with reading comprehension, then goes on to discuss the detrimental effects
of poor reading comprehension on graduating students. Lastly, it explores the various
reforms implemented by the government to address the said issue, particularly the
catch-up Friday, and its flaws, which need modifications.
References
Barnett, A. (2019, June 22). 3 Ways Poor Reading Skills Impact 68% of 4th Graders. Reading

Horizons

[Link]

6825-of-4th-graders?fbclid=IwAR0UDWy5-pSsQdxretqeG6dULJIGVXQ9Ow89DEF3xn

4i9J7sf8oOGeoKxlM

Chase, E. (2017). Royally Matched. Simon & Schuster Audio.

Servallos, J., N. (2023, December 6). Student assessment: Philippines still in bottom 10.

Philstar Global

[Link]

-still-bottom-10

Yubokmee, J. (2022). COLUMN | Sara look: Low comprehension among students is caused by

inefficiencies of your people. Explained PH.

[Link]

[Link]?m=1&fbclid=IwAR2jUUkI1S7Exiaj0yIO4Uu-E

g48NRUqKMYOY5A7fDIyrJMRqtcQfE3z_j0

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If a significant portion of high school graduates have inadequate reading comprehension skills, the societal implications could be profound. Graduates may struggle to find employment that requires basic literacy, leading to lower income levels and potential increases in unemployment rates. Furthermore, this could contribute to a cycle of poverty where future generations also struggle academically. Poor literacy skills can also reduce civic engagement and the ability to critically assess information, impacting democratic processes and societal development .

The "Catch-up Fridays" initiative aims to improve reading comprehension by dedicating time every Friday for students to focus on enhancing their reading skills. While the initiative targets improvement, its effectiveness is questioned due to potential lack of student cooperation, as many treat it as a holiday or a less important day, leading to high absenteeism and lack of seriousness during sessions. Therefore, while conceptually it has merit, in practice, it may not achieve its objectives without addressing these participation issues .

Reading comprehension is crucial for academic success because it is foundational for understanding material across subjects. Students who lack sufficient reading comprehension skills often struggle to engage with academic content, leading to poor academic performance. This academic struggle can also affect students emotionally, as it might lower their self-esteem and confidence. Additionally, poor reading skills may lead to social isolation, as students naturally tend to associate with peers of similar academic standing .

Teacher instructions play a pivotal role in overcoming reading comprehension barriers through structured and engaging lesson plans that cater to diverse learning needs. Techniques like differentiated instruction and adaptive learning technologies can help meet students at their individual levels. Student motivation is equally important, where creating a positive and encouraging learning environment can enhance engagement and pursuit of reading proficiency. Both factors are essential in effectively overcoming reading barriers and fostering improvements in literacy skills .

To improve reading comprehension among students, alternative strategies could include implementing explicit, systematic phonics instruction for those requiring more foundational help, integrating reading across all subjects to enhance practice and application skills, and utilizing technology-assisted literacy programs to tailor learning experiences. Additionally, engaging parents and the community in literacy activities and support systems could create an environment conducive to reading improvement outside the classroom .

High school graduates who lack adequate reading comprehension skills may face long-term academic impacts, including difficulties in post-secondary education where advanced literacy is crucial. They may struggle with coursework that demands critical reading and comprehension, which limits their academic and career options. Over time, this could lead to underemployment and affect their socioeconomic status. Additionally, their capacity for lifelong learning and adaptation to new information in career environments could be severely impeded .

Explicit phonics instruction can significantly benefit struggling students by providing them with a systematic approach to understanding the relationship between letters and sounds. This method equips students with the foundational skills necessary for decoding text, enhancing their ability to read fluently. For students who do not naturally develop reading skills, this explicit instruction is crucial for improving literacy and overall academic performance .

The Philippines ranked in the bottom 10 out of 81 countries in reading comprehension according to the 2022 PISA report, indicating significant challenges within the country's education system. This low ranking underlines the inefficiencies in teaching strategies and resources dedicated to literacy and implies that reform and intervention are necessary to improve students' reading capabilities .

Emotional and social challenges associated with poor reading comprehension negatively impact students' educational experiences. Low self-esteem from academic struggles can lead to disengagement from learning, further hindering academic performance. Social isolation from peers due to different academic standings creates a lack of support, making it harder for students to improve. These intertwined challenges can create a feedback loop that progressively deteriorates a student's educational engagement and success .

There is a strong correlation between self-esteem and reading comprehension skills in students. Poor reading skills often lead to academic struggles, which can diminish self-esteem. Conversely, high self-esteem can motivate students to persevere despite challenges and seek additional help, improving their reading skills over time. This relationship underscores the importance of addressing both literacy skills and emotional support in educational interventions .

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