Program Description

"The Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program develops reading comprehension and critical thinking skills in high-ability learners. It moves students through a scaffolded inquiry process from basic understanding to critical analyses of texts, using a field-tested method developed by the Center for Gifted Education at William & Mary. A series of books for teachers and companion student workbooks published by Prufrock Press, now a part of Routledge, provide support. "

Cost

$45.00

Intended Population

• Core
• Intervention

Grade

• Elementary School
• Middle School

Intended Group Size

• Individual
• Small group

ELL/DLL

• Unspecified

Multisensory Applications

• Unspecified

Computer-Based Delivery

• None

Scripted

• Instructor Scripted

Comprehensive or Skill Specific

• Comprehensive

Placement Tests

• Unspecified

Accelerated Learning

• Yes

Assessment to Monitor Skills Mastery

• Unspecified

Error Correction Built In

• Unspecified

Fidelity Measures Provided by Publisher

• Unspecified

Research Summary

There is limited peer reviewed research on Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program. A Dissertation project by William and Mary investigated the effects of the Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension on 3-5 grade students on reading comprehension and critical thinking. Due to their criteria, the program was found to be promising and gave significant outcomes in a non-gifted group of students in both critical thinking ability and reading comprehension. The study also found the program to be most effective for 3rd and 4th grade students.

Study Citations

Stambaugh, T. (2007). Effects of Jacob' Ladder Reading Comprehension Program on reading comprehension and critical thinking skills of third, fourth, and fifth grade students in rural, Title I schools (dissertation). Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects. William & Mary. Paper 1550154169. https://dx.doi.org/doi:10.25774/w4-f0jt-rf31

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

• Insufficient evidence