Department of Education

Region IX, Zamboanga Peninsula

SCHOOLS DIVISION OF DIPOLOG CITY
Purok Farmers, Olingan, Dipolog City

ACTION RESEARCH PROPOSAL FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 2021-2022

Title: Increasing Reading Comprehension Using Higher-Order Thinking Skills of

Grade 4 Aquino Pupils at UDIS

Proponents: Evelyn G. Inding

Gloria R. Montilla
Samantha Grace E. Imperial

I. Context and Rationale

The general situation/circumstance that makes us develop our research

proposal is the conducted PHIL-IRI results last month of January 2022. Based on the
conducted reading comprehension activity, 7 out of 11 pupils can’t read very well
and can’t comprehend a passage.

It is very important to us, teachers in the upper-grade, Elementary level since

we want an average percentage of fast readers with good comprehension, especially
in grade 4 Aquino pupils. We plan and intend to do scheduled reading, twice a week
in a certain Purok near the school vicinity. As our aim is a very important goal in this
action research, we will conduct a scheduled reading within the school community
at Upper Dicayas Integrated School. The Grade IV Aquino pupils will benefit from
this action through scheduling or grouping them and we will follow proper health
protocols as well.

Furthermore, we believe that this research will solve a particular problem

offering a new way of thinking and direction towards enhancement of practice. It
will prove a big change towards the action that we planned. Hence, it will not
contribute to a certain debate since we will follow the health protocols and right
scheduling in every activity. It will add a developing body of knowledge since our
research aims for the best result. We will give questionnaires and reading materials
to the Grade IV Aquino pupils that will serve as our output of the said activity and
will be also the basis of our quantitative data collection. It’s possible to develop a
new model and process that we can prosper in using new strategies and techniques
of methods to be used in future activities.
II. Literature Review
 Most of the studies that are related to increasing reading comprehension
using higher-order thinking skills, show the use of correlated methods such as
standardized tests, teacher-made comprehension assessments, comprehension
worksheets, and the like.

Brigitte A. McKown, B.S. (2007) and Cynthia L. Barnett, B.S. (2007) stated that
the teacher researchers intended to improve reading comprehension by using
higher-order thinking skills such as predicting, making connections, visualizing,
inferring, questioning, and summarizing. In their classrooms, the teacher-researchers
modeled these strategies through the think-aloud process and graphic organizers.

Gina Sullivan (2018) also stated that the students who received the higher-
order thinking skills had higher reading comprehension than the students who did
not receive these skills. She also defined reading comprehension as a strategic and
active move to understand a text.

Hendricks, Katheryne (1995) proved that posttest scores showed measurable

growth in reading comprehension within all three groups. The use of higher-order
questioning techniques and graphic organizers develop higher-order thinking skills.

In this study, the researchers are interested in how to find out ways in
increasing reading comprehension especially in the usage of higher-order thinking
skills. What makes our study different from previous studies is they have a broad
population target and different data collection processes, while our study has a
specific small population target and we are also using quantitative data sampling.

III. Research Questions

1. Is it ready to be implemented?
2. Does it follow correct health protocols during the activity?
3. Do all of the Grade IV Aquino pupils can do the activity during the assigned
schedule within the school vicinity?
4. What are the effective methods used in conducting reading sessions aside from
higher-order questioning?
5. How effective is higher-order questioning to the certain group of pupils?

IV. Scope and Limitation

The parameters of our study will be based on questionnaires and data
collection of the results driven from PHIL-IRI activity last January 2022.
V. Research Methodology
 Our action research aims to be a Quantitative type of study.
A. Sampling
The Grade IV pupils of section Aquino together with the PHIL-IRI results
will be the sample of our study. We choose these samples because we can easily
conduct such activity and we will be basing with objective results as well. Our
specific target aims to 22 pupils or else the whole section of Grade IV Aquino. We
will select our samples through giving reading materials and comprehensive
questionnaires.
B. Data Gathering Method
In line with research approval from the people with authority, we will
seek permission from the Schools Division Superintendent and the
Principal of the school to conduct the study specifically at the Purok
within school area. We will be using assessments in gathering our data.
The pretest will be administered to the participants upon securing such
permission from the said authorities above. Then they treatment group
will be taught on how answer questions with higher-order thinking skills.
C. Ethical Issues
Considering the respondents in the community, there is a need to obtain
consent from parents and IATF because the pandemic is still going on. To
ensure safety among them, we need to get their names especially the parents
names within the said community area. There is also a need to label our
subjects, in order to have a specific designation and specification.
D. Data Analysis
In analyzing our data, we used quantitative method basing with the
pupils’ scores from the conducted assessments during the pretest of the said
activity. The pupils’ scores will be checked and evaluated right after gathering of
data.

VI. Timetable

VII. Cost Estimates

 In conducting the study, the following expenses will be incurred:
Research Task/Activity Cost
1. Reproduction of Research
P300.00
Instruments
2. Encoding, printing, and
photocopying during the research P500.00
process.
Total Cost P800.00

VIII. Plans for Dissemination and Advocacy

The possible findings of this study will be used by higher grade teachers as
bases of the advocacy in increasing reading comprehension among grade 4 pupils
and higher grade level.
Likewise, the findings of this study will be utilized in formulating policies
and interventions to address the problem in reading comprehension among grade IV
learners specifically in section Aquino based on the research sample.
Finally, the findings of this study will be presented or disseminated to other
educators and peers during LAC Session, In-Service Training for Teachers, and
faculty meeting with thorough discussion and apprehension during the said events.

IX. References

Barnett, Cynthia L., B.S. & McKown, Brigitte A., B.S. (2007). IMPROVING READING
COMPREHENSION THROUGH HIGHER-ORDER THINKING SKILLS

Hendricks, Katheryne (1995). Using Higher Order Thinking Skills to Improve Reading
Comprehension.

Sullivan, Gina (2018). The Effects of Higher-Order Thinking and Reading Comprehension.