Date of Graduation

2015

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

College/School

School of Education

Department

International and Multicultural Education

Program

International & Multicultural Education EdD

First Advisor

Brian Gerrard

Second Advisor

Shabnam Koirala

Third Advisor

Betty Taylor

Abstract

Not reading (Krashen, 2009) is a phenomenon widely noted in students assigned to read as a part of school curriculum. A solution to the many criticisms and deficits cited in the literature surrounding the practice of not reading may lie in the CSSR (Comprehensive Self-Selected Reading) program chosen for focus in this study. In this high school student-reading program, incoming students are guided through a process of textual self-selection and evaluation in an enthusiastic, engaging, and motivating manner. During an eight-month study duration, thirty-two 10th grade students actively read a total of 24,419 pages collaboratively, and 763.09 pages on average. 41% of the sample population attempted novels considered advanced for 10th graders, in defiance of Lexile rating system flaws which categorize many rigorous novels as "low level" despite their reputation as staples of high school literature. Examples of academic, enthusiastic, and transformative engagement with reading were noted in concluding student interviews.

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