Research Finds that large print books support reading progress in youths
A recent study conducted by Project Tomorrow, an education nonprofit, has found that large print books can significantly improve student reading comprehension. The study, which was released by Thorndike Press from Gale, part of Cengage Group, focused on the impact of large print format books on student reading and included 1,500 students in grades 4-12 and 56 teachers and librarians across 13 U.S. schools.
The study revealed that 87% of teachers saw a positive impact on their students' reading success when they switched to large print books. Teacher librarian Tasha Squires at O'Neill Middle School in Downers Grove, IL, observed that when given the option, the majority of students choose large print format books. Squires notes that implementing large print books as a reading intervention is easy once you have the books, requiring no additional professional development.
One of the key benefits of large print books is the increased reading confidence and fluency they provide. According to Project Tomorrow's research, using large print can help students become more confident and fluent readers, which positively impacts their overall reading experience and comprehension. This is supported by the finding that 71% of teachers reported that reading large print improved Lexile scores by 2 grade levels among students reading at grade level.
Large print books also reduce reading-related stress and build reading skills. Students reading in large print format are less likely to lose their place, more open to reading out loud, and more engaged. This increased engagement leads to better understanding and skill-building, resulting in improved reading comprehension. In fact, 55% of teachers saw increased comprehension among students diagnosed with ADHD.
The study also found that large print books are helpful for students learning English, having reading comprehension challenges, being easily distracted, and anxious about reading. Evans, another educator, suggests that schools should offer large print books as a way to support individualized learning. Offering students the choice between large print and regular print books is part of personalizing and meeting learners where they are.
While audiobooks remain popular, demand for ebooks is low enough that Squires has stopped purchasing them. Squires finds ebooks with increased font size less appealing to students, preferring the tactile experience of a physical book. Despite this preference, the study did find that digital leisure reading does less to aid comprehension compared to print reading.
In conclusion, the benefits of large print books for students facing reading challenges are clear. They improve reading skills, reduce stress, increase confidence and fluency, and engage students more effectively. Offering large print books as a reading intervention is a practical and effective solution to support students in their reading development.
- Incorporating large print books into the classroom can lead to enhanced student learning, as revealed by a study conducted by Project Tomorrow.
- Tasha Squires, a teacher librarian, observed that most students at O'Neill Middle School choose large print format books when given the option.
- Implementing large print books as a reading intervention can significantly boost student reading comprehension, with 87% of teachers in the study reporting a positive impact on their students' reading success.
- The use of large print books can help students develop better reading skills, as 71% of teachers in the study reported improved Lexile scores.
- Evans, another educator, suggests that schools should offer large print books as a means of supporting individualized learning and helping students growth both personally and professionally in the context of education and self-development.
