Using systematic instruction to teach decoding skills to middle school students with moderate intellectual disabilities

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of providing middle schools students with moderate intellectual disabilities with letter-sound correspondence instruction using the Corrective Reading Program. The study also examined the generalization of decoding skills to untaught functional and community words. Participants were three male students ages 12, 14, and 15 who were taught using the Level A of Corrective Reading Program. Sixty-five lessons each lasting 45-55 minutes were provided three days a week over a six month period. Prior to receiving instruction, students demonstrated minimal decoding skills. Upon completion of the study, students were able to (a) identify letter sound correspondences, (b) sound out words, (c) blend sounds to read words, (d) decode irregularly spelled words, (e) read sentences, and (f) read short passages at the second grade Level. Results are discussed in terms of the decoding, fluency, and sight word skills of this Population of students.