Reading Comprehension Level of Underpriviledged Children

The purpose of the study was to determine the reading comprehension level of underprivileged children of the Calabrian Children Foundation at Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City. In context, the study sought to determine the following: (1) profile of the respondents in terms of age, grade level, background prior to acceptance in CCF, and the time they entered formal school; (2)  reading level of the respondents in terms of the following comprehension questions: beginning, developing, proficient; and (3) significant difference in the reading comprehension level of the respondents when grouped according to age and grade level. The researchers employed a descriptive research design. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to determine the profile of the children. To determine the reading comprehension level of the respondents, the researchers used a standardized test designed for Filipino pupils from Grades1-6. Findings reveal that most of the children were 12-13 years old and in Grade 4. Prior to acceptance to the CCF, most of the children were abandoned and majority of them started schooling late in formal schooling. The general reading comprehension level of the respodents is emerging. The children have diverse backgrounds and some were abandoned, others lived on the streets that they set aside the idea of having formal education. There is a significant difference in the comprehension level of the children when grouped according to Age. Hence, formal school experiences are essential in developing reading comprehension. In school, children have the opportunity to experience formal educational activities such as guided reading. It can be said that the children do children do not have the adequate knowledge and ability to extract meaning out of the text. Considering that they started formal school late, it may have affected their intellectual growth.

Keywords: reading comprehension, levels of comprehension, levels of comprehension questions