The Use of Project Reader In Enhancing the Reading Abilities of Elementary Learners

Reading is a fundamental component of the Philippine education system, crucial for establishing foundational learning skills. This quantitative study focuses on evaluating the impact of Project READER (Reader Enhancement and Development Educational Resources) on the reading proficiencies of Grade 1 learners at Halang Elementary School, Division of Calamba City, who were identified as struggling with reading.

The study employed a causal-comparative design with a quasi-experimental approach. Standardized passages from the Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (Phil-IRI) were utilized for both pre- and post-testing. Initial pre-test results indicated that the participating learners were performing at frustration levels across key reading metrics: oral reading, word recognition, and reading comprehension.

Following the implementation of Project READER, post-test scores demonstrated significant enhancements in the learners' reading abilities. The intervention successfully elevated learners to higher levels of reading proficiency, indicating its effectiveness in improving oral reading fluency, word decoding, and overall reading comprehension.

The findings of this study emphasize the vital role of evidence-based reading programs like Project READER in closing literacy gaps and providing essential support for early-grade learners to achieve academic milestones. The substantial progress in reading skills observed highlights the importance of targeted interventions for building a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.