Dissertation Defense: The Impact of Academic Vocabulary Instruction on Reading Performance of Sophomore Students on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test from 2008 and 2009
Education, Room 206 November 10, 2009
11:30 AM - 01:30 PM
Announcing the Final Examination of Margaret McMillen for the degree of Doctor of Education.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the following research questions: (1) what relationship, if any, exists between the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test reading scores of sophomores from 2008 to 2009, after teachers implemented the academic vocabulary program? (2) to what extent, if any, do demographic subgroups of students benefit from teacher participation in the academic vocabulary professional development program according to change in FCAT reading scores? (3) to what extent do teachers report changes in their knowledge and implementation of research-based instruction as a result of participation in professional development? and (4) what relationship, if any, exists between FCAT reading scale score change and change in knowledge and skill in vocabulary teaching reported by teachers.
The literature review and results of this study found that many factors contributed to student academic success. Though the study did not find a statistically significant relationship between the implementation of the academic vocabulary program and change in FCAT reading scores, vocabulary instruction, especially the research-based method presented, is essential, but perhaps not sufficient alone to improve reading comprehension as measured by FCAT.
Additionally, the study provided information about the implementation of a research-based program of vocabulary instruction and the essential content-specific list of terms developed by teachers. Further research is necessary to connect teacher professional practice in vocabulary instruction with student reading performance.
Faculty and Staff 
Dissertation Defense: The Impact of Academic Vocabulary Instruction on Reading Performance of Sophomore Students on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test from 2008 and 2009
