CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

Introduction

The study "Assessing the Reading Comprehension of Junior High School Students in Southern

Philippines" conducted at Southern Philippine College Incorporated aims to evaluate the reading

comprehension levels of junior high school students in the region and their impact on academic

performance. It seeks to determine the relationship between reading comprehension and

academic achievement among Junior High School of Southern Philippine College Incorporated

Year 2024-2025. The study utilized a descriptive research design to assess the students' reading

comprehension skills and academic performance. Results indicated that a majority of students

were at the frustration level in reading comprehension and the developing level in academic

performance in English. This suggests that variations in reading comprehension levels influence

students' academic success, with a direct correlation between reading comprehension levels and

academic performance.

Background of the Study

Reading comprehension is a multifaceted cognitive process that involves various skills and

strategies’ essential for understanding and interpreting written texts. Factors such as background

knowledge, vocabulary mastery, fluency in reading, active reading skills, and critical thinking

play crucial roles in determining the level of comprehension achieved by readers.

For Junior High School learners at Southern Philippine College Incorporated, developing strong

reading comprehension skills is vital for academic success across various subjects, particularly in

English.

Objective of the Study

This study aims to evaluate the Reading Comprehension levels of Junior High School students of

Southern Philippine College Incorporated by investing various factors that may influence their

comprehension abilities.

• Assessing the current Reading Comprehension levels of Junior High School students.

• Identify potential factors (such as teaching methods, students’ engagement, and curriculum

design) that may impact students Reading Comprehension abilities.

• Determine the extent to which these factors contribute to variations in Reading Comprehension

levels among students.

• Provide recommendations for improving Reading Comprehension instructions and support

strategies to the needs of Junior High School students of Southern Philippine College

Incorporated.
Statement of the Problem

The purpose of the study is to Assess the reading Comprehension of Junior High School of

Southern Philippine College Incorporated. For the school year 2024-2025 It specially aims to

respond to the following queries;

1. What is the profile of the Junior High students of Southern Philippine College, Incorporated.

a. Name;

b. Gender;

c. Age;

d. Year level;

e. Civil status?

2. What are the factors of assessing the reading Comprehension of Junior High School of

Southern Philippine College Incorporated.

3. What are the affects’ of assessing the reading Comprehension of Junior High School of

Southern Philippine College Incorporated.

Hypothesis

The level of reading comprehension among junior high school students in Southern Philippine

College Incorporated significantly influences their academic performance. Specifically, it is

hypothesized that as reading comprehension levels increase, students' academic performance will

also improve. Conversely, a decrease in reading comprehension levels is expected to correspond

with a decline in academic performance. Additionally, factors such as lack of reading

comprehension strategies, limited access to reading materials, inadequate instructional support,

language barriers, and the absence of a reading culture are likely to contribute to variations in

reading comprehension levels among students, impacting their academic performance.

Significance of the Study

The improvement of reading comprehension skills among junior high school learners in the

Southern Philippine College Incorporated. Reading comprehension is a crucial skill that enables

students to access, process, and apply information from various texts. However, many students

face difficulties and challenges in reading comprehension, especially in the higher levels of

education. Therefore, there is a need to assess the current status of reading comprehension

among junior high school learners and identify the factors that affect their reading performance.

This study aims to provide a comprehensive and reliable assessment of the reading

comprehension skills of junior high school learners of Southern Philippine College Incorporated,

a private school located in the area of Mindanao. The study will use a standardized reading test

that covers different types of reading skills, such as literal, inferential, and evaluative
comprehension. The study will also examine the relationship between reading comprehension

and the learners' profiles, such as ethnicity, first language, exposure to print and non-print

materials, and grade level. The study will also explore the learners' attitudes, perceptions, and

preferences towards reading. For the learners, the study will help them identify their strengths

and weaknesses in reading comprehension and provide them with feedback and

recommendations on how to improve their reading skills. For the teachers, the study will help

them understand the reading needs and difficulties of their students and provide them with

evidence-based strategies and interventions to enhance their reading instruction. For the

researchers, the study will help them fill the gap in the literature on reading comprehension

among junior high school learners in the Philippines and provide them with a basis for further

studies on the topic.

Scope and Delimitation

The main goal of the study is to evaluate the reading comprehension abilities of junior high

school learners of Southern Philippine College Incorporated using a standardized reading test

that assesses different kinds of reading skills, such as literal, inferential, and evaluative

comprehension. The independent variables included in the study are the learners' profiles, such

as ethnicity, first language, exposure to print and non-print materials, and grade level. The

dependent variable is the reading comprehension score of the learners. The study will also use a

mixed-methods approach to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative data

will be collected using a standardized reading test, while the qualitative data will be gathered

using a questionnaire and a focus group discussion.

Definition of Terms for the Study

"Assessing the Reading Comprehension of Junior High School Students in Southern Philippines"

1. Reading Comprehension: The ability to understand, interpret, and analyze written text,

including the extraction of meaning, ideas, and information conveyed by the text.

2. Junior High School students: Students enrolled in grade 7 to 12 at Southern Philippine College

Incorporated, typically age between 7 to 19 years old.

3. Southern Philippine College Incorporated: The educational institution where the study is

conducted, located at Gil Sanchez Labason Zamboanga del Norte. Providing education services

to Junior High School students.

4. Teaching Methods: Various strategies, techniques and approaches employed by the educators

to deliver instructions and facilitate learning, including but not limited to lectures, group

discussion, interactive activities, and technology-based interventions.

5. Students Engagement: The degree of involvement, interest, and active participations

demonstrated by students in the learning process, encompassing behavior such as, attentiveness,

motivation, and interaction with instructional materials.

6. Curriculum Design: The planning organization, and structure of educational programs and

courses, including the selection of content, learning objectives, instructional methods, and

assessment strategies aimed at achieving specific educational goals.

7. Reading Comprehension Levels: The proficiency of skill level of students understanding

written text, typically assessed through standardized test, comprehension exercises, or

performance-based task.

8. Factors Influencing Reading Comprehension: Various elements, conditions, or variables that

may affect students reading comprehension abilities, such as vocabulary knowledge, fluency,

background knowledge, cognitive skills, socio cultural factors, and instructional practices.

9. Data Collection: The Process of Gathering relevant information, data, or evidence for the

study, utilizing methods such as surveys, assessment, interviews, observations, and documents

analysis, to collect quantitative and qualitative data related to reading comprehension of its

influencing factors.
 CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Extended Review of Related Literature

Understanding reading involves more than just decoding words; it also includes integrating the

text into one's existing knowledge. At Southern Philippine College Incorporated, the diverse

student body and teaching methods create a unique setting to explore this concept. It's crucial to

align teaching with students' backgrounds for better comprehension, as Gomez (2021)

emphasizes.

A student's environment significantly impacts their reading skills and habits, as noted by Reyes

& Santos (2020). Factors like family literacy practices and socioeconomic status can influence

reading success. Instructional methods like reciprocal teaching and guided reading, promoted by

Lopez & Mendoza (2022), enhance comprehension and critical thinking.

While technology adds interactive elements to reading, it also brings distractions, as Cruz &

Bautista (2023) discuss. Educators must use digital tools strategically to prevent them from

hindering comprehension. Various assessment tools, as highlighted by Navarro & Lim (2021),

help evaluate comprehension levels and instructional effectiveness.

Language proficiency is crucial for reading comprehension, as shown by Chen & Thompson

(2022). Proficiency in the language of instruction is closely tied to comprehension levels,

indicating the need for language instruction in reading strategies. Psychological factors like

motivation and self-efficacy, as explained by Patel & Sanchez (2024), also affect comprehension

levels.

In summary, a comprehensive approach that considers educational, socio-cultural, instructional,

technological, assessment, language, and psychological factors is vital for improving reading

comprehension among junior high school students at Southern Philippine College Incorporated.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

INDEPENDENT VARIABLES DEPENDENT VARIABL

A. Reading strategies and A. Literal reading comprehension.

skills.
B. Deep reading comprehension.
B. Factors related to the
C. Comprehension level in silent
text. reading.
C. Reader characteristics. D. Comprehension level in oral
reading.
D. Instructional practices
and interventions. E. Students' reading comprehension.

MODERATOR VARIABLES

Reading fluency, reading skills, and other

cognitive factors that impact the effectiveness
of reading comprehension interventions or
assessments in junior high school students of
Southern Philippine College Incorporate.
 CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The research design for evaluating the reading comprehension of junior high school students at

Southern Philippine College Incorporated should be structured following established literature

and educational research best practices. The main goal is to assess students' reading

comprehension skills and identify various factors that may impact their understanding levels.

1. Goal: The primary aim is to evaluate the reading comprehension abilities of junior high school

students at Southern Philippine College Incorporated.

2. Participants: Choose a sample of junior high school students from Southern Philippine College

Incorporated.

3. Variables:

Independent Variable: Students' reading comprehension skills.

Dependent Variables: Factors that can affect reading comprehension such as teaching methods,

reading materials, and student engagement.

4. Methodology:

Quantitative Approach: Use standardized reading comprehension tests to measure students'

understanding levels.

Qualitative Approach: Conduct interviews or surveys to collect students' views on reading and

factors influencing their comprehension.

5. Data Collection:

Conduct standardized reading comprehension tests to assess students' comprehension levels.

Utilize interviews or surveys to gather qualitative data on students' reading habits, preferences,

and challenges.

6. Data Analysis:

Quantitative Analysis: Analyze test scores to determine students' overall reading comprehension

levels.

Qualitative Analysis: Examine interview/survey responses to identify patterns and themes related

to reading comprehension.
7. Recommendations:

Based on the study findings, offer suggestions for enhancing reading comprehension skills

among junior high school students.

Sampling Design

To evaluate the reading comprehension of junior high school students at Southern Philippine

College Incorporated, a mixed-methods approach can be utilized to gather both quantitative and

qualitative data. This will provide a thorough understanding of the students' reading

comprehension levels and the factors affecting them.

For the quantitative part, a standardized reading comprehension test can be given to a sample of

students to assess various aspects of comprehension like literal, inferential, and critical

comprehension. The test results can be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to

determine overall reading levels and identify any significant variations based on factors like

gender, age, economic status, parents' education, and reading time.

In the qualitative component, interviews or focus groups can be conducted with a sub-group of

students to explore their attitudes towards reading, habits, preferences, and challenges in

comprehension. Thematic analysis can be used to identify patterns in the qualitative data.
Regarding the sampling design, a stratified random sampling strategy can ensure the sample

represents the junior high school population. Strata can be based on variables like gender, age,

economic status, parents' education, and reading time, with random samples selected within each

stratum.

Data analysis involves separately examining the quantitative and qualitative data before

integrating them to get a comprehensive understanding of reading levels and influencing factors.

Quantitative data will use descriptive and inferential statistics, while thematic analysis will be

used for qualitative data. The results from both analyses can be combined to provide a holistic

view of reading comprehension.

Based on the study's findings, recommendations can be made to enhance reading comprehension

instruction for junior high school students at Southern Philippine College Incorporated. These

recommendations should be pragmatic, considering the institution's resources and limitations,

and may include strategies for teaching comprehension, developing supportive materials, and

integrating instruction into various subjects.

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

To assess the reading comprehension of Junior High School students at Southern Philippine

College Incorporated, specific criteria for inclusion and exclusion can be established based on

research findings. Criteria for inclusion include participants being junior high school students at
the school, falling into categories of "mastery level," "near mastery level," or "low mastery level"

in reading comprehension, considering factors influencing comprehension, categorizing students

based on reader types, and using reading materials of varying difficulty levels. Exclusion criteria

involve individuals who are not junior high school students at the school, students not meeting

the defined comprehension level categories, excluding irrelevant factors affecting

comprehension, students not fitting into established reader categories, and materials not aligning

with defined difficulty levels. Adhering to these criteria can help effectively evaluate reading

comprehension levels and factors influencing the skills of junior high school learners at the

school.

Research Instrument

To evaluate the Reading Comprehension of Junior High School students at Southern Philippine

College Incorporated, a research instrument can be developed following the information.

1. Test Content:

The reading comprehension test should feature passages of varying difficulty levels to effectively

assess students' comprehension skills.

It should include different question types (literal, inferential, critical) to gauge students'

understanding.

Use of multiple-choice questions can help assess students' analytical skills in comprehending

written information.
Incorporating open-ended questions allows students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of

the text.

2. Social Factors:

Collect demographic data (education, occupation, location) to analyze how social characteristics

may impact reading comprehension skills.

3. Scoring Criteria:

Establish categories like "mastery level," "near mastery level," and "low mastery level" based on

test scores.

Define percentage criteria (e.g., 75% and above for mastery level) to effectively categorize

students' comprehension levels.

4. Validation and Reliability:

Before implementation, ensure the research instrument is valid and reliable by testing it with a

small group of students to ascertain its accuracy in measuring reading comprehension skills.

Research Setting
The research will take place at Southern Philippine College Incorporated and will focus on junior

high school students within the institution. The participants will consist of learners in junior high

school at Southern Philippine College Incorporated. To ensure inclusivity, the study can include

students from various grade levels in junior high school. Different reading materials of varying

difficulty levels will be utilized to address the diverse reading capabilities of the students.

Students will be grouped into reader categories such as "mastery level," "near mastery level,"

and "low mastery level" according to their test results. Those scoring 75% and above will be

classified as "mastery level," while those scoring 50%-74% will fall under "near mastery level,"

and students with a score of 49% or below will be categorized as "low mastery level."

Data Gathering Procedure

The process of evaluating Junior High School students' Reading Comprehension at Southern

Philippine College Incorporated involves various steps:

- To evaluate reading comprehension, different strategies are used like asking students to

summarize what they read, posing questions, and employing graphic and semantic tools.

- A descriptive survey design is utilized to determine the social characteristics like education,

occupation, and location, and their potential connection to behavior patterns or attitudes.
- Reading comprehension tests are given in three levels of difficulty, and students are categorized

based on their scores into "mastery level," "near mastery level," or "low mastery level."

- Students are categorized into reader categories, such as Imams reader categories, to tailor the

assessment according to their reading levels.

- A mobile reading comprehension test is developed for junior high school students, which

includes various types of tasks and can be taken online or offline.

- Comprehension items are integrated within reading passages to get a more precise

understanding of students' reading skills and lessen the impact of other factors like working

memory or language skills.

- A universal screener is used to monitor student progress in literacy components and identify

areas where additional support is needed, guiding instructional practices.

Ethical Consideration

The study at Southern Philippine College Incorporated should focus on evaluating the reading

comprehension abilities of junior high school students, considering factors that impact their
comprehension levels. The research design can follow established educational research practices

and literature.

Research Design:

Goal: To assess the reading comprehension skills of junior high school students at Southern

Philippine College Incorporated.

Variables:

Independent Variable: Reading comprehension skills of the students.

Dependent Variables: Factors like teaching methods, reading materials, and student engagement

that influence reading comprehension.

Methodology:

Quantitative Approach: Use standardized reading comprehension tests to measure students'

comprehension levels.

Qualitative Approach: Conduct interviews or surveys to gather insights on students' attitudes

towards reading and factors affecting their comprehension.

Data Analysis:

Quantitative Analysis: Analyze test scores to determine students' overall reading comprehension

levels.
Qualitative Analysis: Thematic analysis of interview/survey responses to reveal patterns and

themes related to reading comprehension.

Ethical Considerations:

Obtain informed consent from participants and ensure data confidentiality.

Adhere to ethical standards for studies involving human subjects.

Recommendations:

Based on the results, propose suggestions to improve reading comprehension skills in junior high

school learners.

Offer strategies for educators and schools to enhance reading comprehension instruction.