Audio-Supported Reading Feasibility Report

The Lexile® Framework for Reading has established the optimal targeting of reader with text at 75-percent comprehension. This
comprehension rate is based on the embedded sentence completion item type, also called the “native-Lexile” item type, because it anchors the
Lexile scale in terms of difficulty and unit size. Through teacher evaluation the optimal match of text with reader was set at 75-percent
comprehension within the Lexile Framework. The extra benefit a reader receives from scaffolding (e.g., picture support, font size, glossary of
terms) is not factored into the match. However, the inclusion of scaffolds may necessitate a change to the level of text required to maintain a
75-percent comprehension rate. With an increase in text demand, a student will be exposed to more challenging vocabulary and more
sophisticated sentence structures than when reading independently without the scaffold. This report will explore if there is a benefit to an
audio-supported reading scaffold.

In previous studies, different reading methodologies (e.g., repeated reading, listening) were tested for reading fluency. Findings show that
there are benefits to reading while listening. A study by Rasinski (1990) tested the effects of repeated reading and listening on the development
of reading fluency. Rasinski found that both approaches resulted in significant benefits: improved reading speed and word recognition
accuracy. In another study, researchers showed the positive effects of audio-supported reading for ESL students (Koskinen et al, 2000).
Koskinen and her colleagues tested first-grade students for book-rich classroom environments and home re-reading. Reading while listening
constituted one of the test conditions. The utilization of audio models proved advantageous for students learning to speak English.

Key Hypotheses: Readers will perform higher on reading comprehension items if they hear the words of the passage read as they read along.
Text-to-speech engines will provide the same benefit as human readers.