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Research ArticleArticles

Improving Reading Skills by Encouraging Children to Read in School:

A Randomized Evaluation of the Sa Aklat Sisikat Reading Program in the Philippines

Ama Baafra Abeberese, Todd J. Kumler and Leigh L. Linden
Journal of Human Resources, July 2014, 49 (3) 611-633; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.49.3.611
Ama Baafra Abeberese
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Todd J. Kumler
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Leigh L. Linden
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Abstract

We show that a short-term (31-day) reading program, designed to provide age-appropriate reading material, to train teachers in their use, and to support teachers’ initial efforts for about a month, improves students’ reading skills by 0.13 standard deviations. The effect is still present three months after the program but diminishes to 0.06 standard deviations, probably due to a reduced emphasis on reading after the program. We find that the program also encourages students to read more on their own at home. We find no evidence that improved reading ability improves test scores on other subjects.

  • Received June 2012.
  • Accepted August 2013.
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Journal of Human Resources: 49 (3)
Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 49, Issue 3
1 Jul 2014
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Improving Reading Skills by Encouraging Children to Read in School:
Ama Baafra Abeberese, Todd J. Kumler, Leigh L. Linden
Journal of Human Resources Jul 2014, 49 (3) 611-633; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.49.3.611

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Improving Reading Skills by Encouraging Children to Read in School:
Ama Baafra Abeberese, Todd J. Kumler, Leigh L. Linden
Journal of Human Resources Jul 2014, 49 (3) 611-633; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.49.3.611
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Jump to section

  • Article
    • Abstract
    • I. Introduction
    • II. The Sa Aklat Sisikat Read-a-Thon
    • III. Methodology
    • IV. Internal Validity
    • V. Results
    • VI. Comparisons to Other Programs
    • VII. Conclusion
    • Footnotes
    • References
  • Figures & Data
  • Supplemental
  • Info & Metrics
  • References
  • PDF

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