Effect of difficulty levels on second-grade delayed readers using dyad reading

The authors investigated how far above a poor reader's instructional level dyad reading should be used to promote the greatest growth in reading level, word recognition, comprehension, and rate. Fifty-one poor readers were identified and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 experimental groups: (a) dyad reading at their instructional reading level, (b) dyad reading 2 grades above their instructional reading level; and (c) dyad reading 4 grades above their instructional reading level. For 95 days/sessions, all groups read 15 min daily during their classroom recreational reading time. They all improved with dyad reading regardless of the difficulty levels of materials. Results suggest that the difficulty level of materials used for dyad reading may make a difference in student progress.