The educational opportunity gap: A comparison of reading ability and component literacy skills between African Nova Scotian students and their peers
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Date
2021-09
Authors
Cox, Adena
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Volume Title
Publisher
Mount Saint Vincent University
Abstract
Reading proficiency is fundamental for student success. However, students of African descent are at-risk for reading difficulties. The purpose of this study was to determine if students of African descent and African Nova Scotian students have lower scores on measures of reading ability, vocabulary, phonological awareness, morphological awareness, syntactic awareness, and prosodic sensitivity compared to a sample of other Nova Scotian students. Participants were 338 1st grade students from 18 schools across Nova Scotia. Students of African descent and African Nova Scotian students had lower scores on word reading, phonological awareness, morphological awareness, and syntactic awareness skills compared to a sample of all other Nova Scotian students. Additionally, African Nova Scotian students scored lower than students of African descent for word reading, morphological awareness, and syntactic awareness suggesting African Nova Scotians have unique challenges. These findings practical implications for those working in the education system and educational policymakers.
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Keywords
Word reading , Reading ability , Vocabulary , Phonological awareness , Morphological awareness , Syntactic awareness , Prosodic sensitivity , Educational opportunity gap , African descent , African Nova Scotian , Canada , Elementary students , Education