New Study Links Student Reading Fluency to Teacher Training at Walden University
A new study shows that elementary students in Tacoma, Washington, who are taught by graduates of Walden University's M.S. in Education online program with a specialization in Elementary Reading and Literacy (PreK-6), read more fluently than other students.
The study, announced recently by Walden's Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership, evaluates three years of data for 35 teachers and 712 elementary students. The study compares reading fluency scores of students taught by Walden master's program graduates with scores of students taught by other teachers.
Students Taught by Walden-Trained Teachers Read More Fluently
"The new study results confirm the positive things our students tell us about our M.S. in Education program," said Victoria Reid, vice president of Walden University's Riley College of Education and Leadership. "Our program creates effective teachers because we continually look for new ways to strengthen our curriculum and instruction."
The study results confirm the results of a similar 2003 study. For both, Walden University partnered with the Tacoma School District and Arroyo Research Services, an independent research firm.
Students Show 14 Percent Greater Reading Fluency
Highlights of the study shows the impact of Walden-trained teachers:
- Elementary students of Walden-master's-educated teachers read an average of 4.8 more words per minute than other students. This represents a 14 percent improvement over other students.
- First-graders showed the most positive influence from Walden-master's-educated teachers, averaging 5.4 more words per minute than other students.
The findings suggest that having a Walden-master's-educated teacher in grades 1 through 5 would result in a reading fluency increase of 11.6 words per minute, equivalent to a gain of one-third of an entire school year.
Prospective Alabama students: Contact the Teacher Education and Certification Division of the Alabama State Department of Education at 1-334-242-9935 or www.alsde.edu to verify that these programs qualify for teacher certification, endorsement, and/or salary benefits.
Prospective Washington state students are advised to contact the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction at 1-360-725-6320 or prof.educ@k12.wa.us to determine whether Walden's programs in the field of education are approved for teacher certification or endorsements in Washington state. Additionally, teachers are advised to contact their individual school district as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.
