PROJECT STAY ACTION RESEARCH
PROJECT STAY ACTION RESEARCH
Young learners): Basis for Enhancing Reading Skills of Grade 3 Learners at Cahil
Elementary School”
AN ACTION RESEARCH
By
MAJOY D. HERNANDEZ
Teacher III
EMMIE E. MACATIGBAC
Teacher I
Cahil Elementary School
School Year 2023-2024
II. Abstract
This study was conducted to improve the reading skills of Grade 3 learners in Filipino
and English by utilizing Project STAY (Settle in school to Learn To read and develop
Specifically, the researchers sought to determine the key contributors to the reading
difficulties of Grade 3 pupils and the effectiveness of Project STAY in improving the reading
skills and abilities of pupils which provides them an awareness to implement this innovation
project.
To achieve the main goal, the researchers adapted the descriptive method of research
interviews to determine the cause of reading difficulty. The data and information were gathered
from 30 learners’ parents-respondents, from Grade 3. Their responses were tallied, organized,
tabulated, analyzed, and interpreted through percentage and weighted mean methods.
This action research generated the following findings and conclusions: Pupils
encountered key contributors that lead to reading difficulties resulting in their poor reading skills
awareness; experiencing no follow-up at home of the reading skills learned from school; and
increases the performance and reading abilities of the pupils. The intervention activities
implemented through this project must continuously be employed as strongly agreed by the
respondents. It also concluded that this project was found to be effective in enhancing the
continuously even to other grade levels to further improve the reading skills of pupils as well
as to develop other competencies. Teachers, parents, and school head will continue to extend
their support to ensure the improvement of pupils’ performance. Lastly, the teacher may also
ask her pupils to keep on reading as much as they can to expand their sentences into more
elaborate ones.
reading skills
III. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The researchers express their sincerest gratitude and profound greetings to the
following people who have contributed their invaluable insights and efforts to the realization
Mrs. Emma M. Manalo, for letting the researchers conduct this study and for her
Dr. Anabel Marasigan, for leading the Calaca City Sub-Office in coming up with
To the coordinator, Mrs. Cerilina Manalo, and other members of the District Research
Committee, for the sacrifices in leading the researchers, checking the study, and giving
To Dr. Jeazelle C. De Gala for her assistance and suggestions that made this research
study successful.
Their co-teachers in Cahil Elementary School, for the encouragement and support to
Above all, to God almighty for all the blessings He has bestowed on them and their
families and for allowing them to exist and share their talents for the benefit of young learners.
academic success and lifelong learning. Literacy, commonly defined as the ability to read and
write, is a fundamental human right. However, learning this basic skill seems to be difficult for
some children due to several common issues which may even cause them to do poorly in other
subjects.
Department of Education (DepEd) is continuously fulfilling its goal to produce productive and
responsible citizens equipped with essential competencies and skills for lifelong learning. To
make every learner a proficient reader, schools across the country are tasked to help learners
develop their reading skills. However, such initiatives are still not enough based on the results
of national assessments for student learning. (DepEd Memorandum No. 173, s. 2019, “Hamon:
and Celano (2012) found that children from low-income families often have limited access to
books and educational resources, impacting their reading achievement. These students may
enter school with fewer literacy experiences, making it harder for them to catch up with their
peers.
Additionally, the increasing prevalence of digital media poses a unique challenge for
today’s learners. Research by Leu et al. (2015) indicates that the shift from traditional print to
digital texts requires new literacy skills, such as navigating hyperlinks and evaluating online
information. Educators need to adapt their teaching strategies to equip students with these
into the progression of phonemic awareness and its impact on reading skills among young
children. Over four years, from kindergarten to third grade, the researchers meticulously
observed and analyzed the development of phonemic awareness, focusing on its influence on
reading fluency and comprehension. The study found that phonemic awareness develops
significantly during the early years of schooling. Children who exhibited higher levels of
phonemic awareness in kindergarten demonstrated stronger reading skills in subsequent
grades.
effectiveness of targeted phonemic awareness and phonics instruction in improving the reading
proficiency of non-readers. This research was conducted with a sample of elementary school
improvement in reading proficiency compared to the control group. Specifically, students in the
intervention program showed enhanced decoding skills and increased reading fluency,
Reading is a fundamental skill essential for academic success, yet many grade
critical for educators, parents, and policymakers to provide effective support and interventions.
The study by Leaño et al., 2019 found that all five Indigenous learners had limited
English vocabulary and struggled to name objects in their surroundings. They struggled to
recite weekdays, months, and common Philippine events. They had difficulty communicating
According to the World Bank (2022), 90% of Filipino children are unable to read or
comprehend simple text by the age of ten, highlighting the critical need for systemic reforms to
improve access to resources, improve teaching methods, and create supportive environments
In addition, Martinez and `Lopez (2023) stated that intervention brings out significant
improvement in enhancing the reading skills of learners. They found the significant benefits of
implementing early intervention strategies to support young learners who struggle with reading.
By addressing reading challenges at an early stage, educators and parents can foster a
foundation for continued academic success, emphasizing the importance of early support in
educational development.
The same difficulty at Cahil Elementary School was noted during the reading
assessment to Grade 3 learners to find out their reading level. They were assessed through
tested in Filipino are full refreshers, while 3% or 1 out of 30 learners fall under moderate
refreshers, 23% or 7 children were light refreshers and 57% or 17 out of the total enrolment
was grade ready. Meanwhile, 23% or 7 out of 30 Grade 3 pupils tested in English were full
refreshers, 17% or 5 pupils were moderate refreshers, 17% or 5 learners fell under light
refresher, and 43% or 13 pupils were Grade ready. To bridge this gap, Project STAY (Settle in
school To learn to read and develop reading habits Among Young learners) was
conceptualized with targets to decrease the number of full refreshers by 50% at the end of the
First Quarter, 75% at the end of the Second Quarter, and 100% of the learners are a total
reader at the end of the school year. By linking new content to local experiences that are
This prompted the researchers to take this study to determine the key contributors
to reading difficulties among Grade 3 learners at Cahil Elementary School. The intervention
made by the researchers to address the problems and to determine the effectiveness of Project
STAY in their reading ability also gave an idea to the researchers to conduct this study.
V. Action Research Questions
1. What are the key contributors to reading difficulties among Grade 3 learners at Cahil
2. How effective is the Project STAY intervention in improving reading proficiency among
3. What plan of action was proposed to improve the implementation of Project STAY?
S - ettle in school
As a result of reading baseline data through CRLA BOSY administration, the reading
level of the grade 3 pupils was determined. Parental consent informing the schedule of
remedial lessons for reading was sent to parents of the pupils who had undergone the said
intervention. Learners with reading difficulties are encouraged to stay in school beyond class
T - o learn to read
Learning to read and developing strong reading habits are foundational skills that
can significantly impact a learner’s educational performance and personal growth. Phonics-
based approach, whole language approach, multisensory learning, and technology integration
are some of the strategies to be utilized to achieve this goal. In the implementation of Project
STAY different reading interventions were used by the teacher for the non-readers to learn to
read. Engage learners with activities that emphasize sound recognition, such as rhyming
games, sound matching, and segmenting words into phonemes to build foundational reading
skills. Aside from that, the following reading strategies were used: teaching letter sounds,
utilization of Marungko Approach, Claveria Reading Techniques, and Fuller Approach. The
reading intervention will be done through one-on-one tutoring or small group sessions.
A - mong the reading habits good practices that will boost the interest of the pupils
reading materials, pairing learners with reading buddies to encourage peer learning and
support, organizing monthly reading challenges with rewards to motivate consistent reading,
engaging parents to support their children's reading development at home and providing
Set up inviting and comfortable reading corners in classrooms and libraries, stocked with a
diverse selection of books will cater to different interests and reading levels of the learners.
Peer teaching and reading buddies were some of the strategies utilized to assist learners who
have struggles when it comes to reading. Learners are encouraged to read a variety of reading
materials to inculcate in their minds the value of reading and develop good reading habits.
Y - oung learners
The clientele through combining these innovative strategies and interventions can
create a comprehensive approach to learning to read and developing lifelong reading habits.
The vital role of these innovations makes reading an enjoyable and integral part of their daily
learning, both in educational settings and at home. Fostering a love for reading during the
early foundation, will open the door to endless knowledge, opportunities, and personal growth.
Pupils' reading skills and abilities are monitored and evaluated quarterly through reading
assessments such as CRLA EOSY and Phil. IRI. Feedback and results of the assessment
This proposed innovation is implemented for Grade 3 pupils. The activity is done for
one hour, beyond class hours, or during DEAR time. Project STAY - (Settle in school to learn
To read and develop reading habits Among Young learners) is designed to help young learners
not only learn to read but also develop lifelong reading habits ensuring that learners receive
the support they need to become passionate readers and all aspects of the project are
In this study, the respondents are the 30 Grade 3 parents of Cahil Elementary School.
this study. Informal interviews with pupils and parents were done to gather information on
factors leading to reading difficulty. The questionnaire served as the instrument for gathering
data for the researchers. A copy of the instrument was personally administered to the
respondents immediately after securing a permit from the school principal. This was validated
To determine the reliability of data analysis, the appropriate statistical tools that were
2. Weighted Mean. The Likert Method of Scaling Techniques assigns a scale to each
of the four options. The weighted mean points for each item were obtained by multiplying the
scale value of responses by the total number of responses indicating it. The total weighted
point for each value-weighted means of each item was obtained by dividing the total weighted
point by the total number of respondents. This is synonymous with average. It is a sum of the
WM = Fw/N
Where:
WM = Weighted Mean
Fw = Frequency multiplied by weight
3. Ranking. It means the position of an observation score or individual about its order
in the group according to some characteristics such as magnitude usually indicates numbers.
The higher quality may be given as rank one, the second as rank two, and so forth.
4. Likert Scale. This was used to interpret and analyze the parents’ responses.
This part of the research presents the tables, data analysis, and interpretation
Part 1. This part pertains to the Contributing Factors to Reading Difficulties Among
Table 1
Weighted
Indicators Interpretation Rank
Mean
1. Develop phonemic awareness 3.5 Strongly Agree 3.5
2. Recognize the sounds of alphabet letters 3.8 Strongly Agree 1.5
3. Experience difficulty in recognizing words 3.0 Agree 7
4. Exhibit poor reading comprehension 2.9 Agree 8
5. Conducive reading environment 3.2 Agree 5
6. Availability of appropriate reading materials 3.1 Agree 6
7. Experience absenteeism 2.7 Agree 9.5
8. Show a lack of interest in reading 2.7 Agree 9.5
9. Encounter difficulty with the pronunciation 3.5 Strongly Agree 3.5
10. Experience no follow-up at home 3.8 Strongly Agree 1.5
Composite Mean 3.08 Agree
The respondents assessed the Contributing Factors to Reading Difficulties Among
Grade 3 learners, as perceived by their parents. These items obtained an overall weighted mean
of 3.08, which means agree. Moreover, it was revealed that statements number 2, and 10 ranked
1st with the highest weighted mean of 3.8 or strongly agree which means that the respondents,
It was followed by statements number 1, and 9, which both got a weighted mean of 3.5 or
strongly agree which means that the respondents, “Develop phonemic awareness; and Encounter
This was supported by the study conducted by the World Bank (2022), wherein 90% of
Filipino children were unable to read or comprehend simple text by the age of ten, highlighting
the critical need for systemic reforms to improve access to resources, improve teaching methods,
This result was also related to the study conducted by Lonigan and Shanahan (2021)
which provided valuable insights into the progression of phonemic awareness and its impact on
reading skills among young children. The study found that phonemic awareness develops
significantly during the early years of schooling. Children who exhibited higher levels of phonemic
Part 2. This part pertains to the Effectiveness of Project STAY in improving reading
proficiency.
Table 2
which means very effective. Moreover, it was revealed that statement number 3 ranked 1 st with
the highest weighted mean of 3.7 or very effective which means that, it improves the reading
It was followed by statements number 2, and 7, which both got a weighted mean of 3.6,
or very effective which means that it develops reading habits among learners; and Improves
As stated by Martinez and Lopez (2023) intervention brings out significant improvement
in enhancing the reading skills of learners. They found the significant benefits of implementing
early intervention strategies to support young learners who struggle with reading. By addressing
reading challenges at an early stage, educators and parents can foster a foundation for continued
In the light of the findings presented in this study, the following conclusions are drawn:
2. The intervention activities implemented through Project STAY were found to be very
Based on the findings and conclusions, the following recommendations were hereby
offered:
1. Project STAY should be consistently applied and adopted by other grade levels to
enhance the reading abilities of CES learners and foster the development of additional
skills.
2. Educators, parents, and the school principal will maintain their support to guarantee the
and understanding.
4. To further improve the implementation of Project STAY, an action plan was developed.
PROJECT STAY - (Settle in school To learn to read And develop reading habits among
Young learners)
X. Cost Estimates
To the reading coordinator, the result of this study will serve as the motivating factor to have
To the supervisor and school heads, wherein the study can help in planning for
professional development which can assist teachers to hone pupils’ progress in reading ability
and comprehension.
To the teachers, the data and findings to be formulated from the study can support in
To parents, they may ensure the learning development of their children in different aspects
of reading.
XII. References
A. Online Source
Leaño, A. J., Norfishah Mat Rabi, Rabi, N. M., & Piragasam, G. A. G. (2019). Speaking
Difficulties Of Philippine Indigenous Learners In English Semantics. Southeast Asia
Early Childhood Journal, Vol. 8.
Leu, D. J., Forzani, E., Rhoads, C., Maykel, C., Kennedy, C., & Timbrell, N. (2015). The new
literacies of online reading comprehension: Expanding the literacy and learning
curriculum. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy.
Lonigan, C. J., & Shanahan, T. (2021). Phonemic Awareness and Its Role in Reading
Development: A Longitudinal Study. Reading Research Quarterly, 56(1), 73-90
Martinez, P., & Lopez, R. (2023). Long-term effects of early reading interventions in
preschool children with reading difficulties. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 63,
305-316.
Smith, J., & Johnson, L. (2015). Investigating the effectiveness of targeted phonemic
awareness and phonics instruction on improving the reading proficiency of non-readers.
Journal of Educational Research.
World Bank. (2022). 90% of Filipino children unable to read simple text by age 10. Retrieved
from https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4179-333X 2024.
B. Action Research
Manalo, Cerilina A. (2017). The Role of School Head in Developing Culture of Research in
Calaca District
Galoyo, Franklin C. (2017). Difficulties Encountered by Calaca Senior High School Learners
in Science Subjects: An Input to Game-Based Learning Strategy (GBLS). An Action
Research
C. Legal Basis
DepEd Memorandum No. 173, s. 2019, “Hamon: Bawat Bata Bumabasa”
XI. Financial Report
MAJOY D. HERNANDEZ
EMMIE E. MACATIGBAC
Cahil Elementary School
Proponents
Members:
Directions: Kindly check the appropriate column that corresponds to your assessment on the
effectiveness of Project STAY in enhancing the reading ability of Grade 3 learners.
Please be guided by the following code:
4 – Very Effective
3 – Moderate Effective
2 – Less Effective
1 – Ineffective
A. EFFECTIVENESS OF PROJECT STAY AS
VE ME LE IE
INTERVENTION IN ENHANCING LEARNERS' READING
4 3 2 1
ABILITY
1. Improve the reading skills of the learners
2. Improve the reading comprehension level of the pupils
3. Increase vocabulary development of learners
S 4. Improve learners’ academic performance
5. Enhance cognitive development
T 6. Develop reading habits among learners
A 7. Boost learners’ self-confidence in reading
8. Enhance pupils’ interest in reading
Y 9. Increase engagement in learning
10. Develop social skills