Peer-Assisted Learning Strategy (Pals); A Strategy in Improving Reading Comprehension 

As a child enters elementary school, they all learn to read throughout their normal developmental period and are able to read fluently. Nevertheless, despite the fact that certain pupils master reading, they were having trouble comprehending what they were reading. This study examined the effectiveness of Peer-Assisted Learning Strategy, specifically paragraph shrinking as a reading intervention strategy to improve the reading comprehension in Filipino language of the grade 3 pupils. It was carried out using an action research design which includes pre-test and post-test assessments to gauge the efficacy of the intervention using quantitative data. In assessing the pupils' reading comprehension level, the researchers employed the tool provided by the Department of Education Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (Phil-RI, 2018). To appraise and gauge the pupils' grasp of reading comprehension level in the Pre-test and Post-test assessments including reading selections and comprehension assessment questions administered to 17 pupils who were chosen using convenience sampling. The pre-test and post-test results were compared as part of the data analysis to look for any significant changes or improvements in the pupils' reading comprehension level. The research's significant enhancement has been shown as seen by the average pupil score. The mean difference, 2.65, is statistically significant, which means that students' posttest scores are significantly higher than their pretest scores. The results of the study revealed that the Peer Assisted Learning Strategy (PALS) was beneficial as a method of teaching and learning for improving the pupils' reading comprehension. Thus, it is recommended that pairing pupils with different reading comprehension levels can be advantageous as it promotes cooperative learning and provides opportunities for peer support and help.

Keywords: Reading Comprehension; Peer-Assisted Learning Strategy (PALS); Informal Reading Inventory (Phil-HRI)

Available at: SRCB College Library