ERIC Number: EJ1318520
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Nov
Pages: 26
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-0663
EISSN: N/A
Do Children with Reading Difficulties Experience Writing Difficulties? A Meta-Analysis
Graham, Steve; Aitken, A. Angelique; Hebert, Michael; Camping, April; Santangelo, Tanya; Harris, Karen R.; Eustice, Kristi; Sweet, Joseph D.; Ng, Clarence
Journal of Educational Psychology, v113 n8 p1481-1506 Nov 2021
In this meta-analysis, we examined whether children identified with reading difficulties (RD) evidence writing difficulties. We included studies comparing children with RD with (a) typically developing peers matched on age (k = 87 studies) and (b) typically developing younger peers with similar reading capabilities (k = 24 studies). Children identified with RD scored lower on measures of writing than their same age peers (g = -1.25) when all writing scores in a study were included in the analysis. This same pattern occurred for specific measures of writing: quality (g = -0.95), output (g = -0.66), organization (g = -0.72), sentence skills (g = -0.78), vocabulary (g = -1.17), syntax (g = -1.07), handwriting (g = -0.64), and spelling (g = -1.42). Differences in the writing scores of children identified with RD and same age peers were moderated by whether the writing assessment was a norm-referenced or researcher-designed measure when all writing measures or just spelling were included in the analyses. Depth of orthography for studies involving European languages also moderated differences in the spelling scores of children identified with RD and same age peers. Finally, children identified with RD scored lower on writing than younger peers with similar reading capabilities (g = -0.94) and more specifically on spelling (-0.93). We concluded that children with RD experience difficulties with writing, providing support for theoretical propositions of reading and writing connections as well as the importance of writing instruction for these students.
Descriptors: Reading Difficulties, Writing Difficulties, Meta Analysis, Sentence Structure, Vocabulary, Syntax, Handwriting, Spelling, Reading Skills, Writing Skills, Elementary Secondary Education
American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R305C190007; R324B160033