A1 Journal article (refereed)
Screening for Slow Reading Acquisition in Norway and Finland : a Quest for Context Specific Predictors (2021)

Solheim, O. J., Torppa, M., Uppstad, P. H., & Lerkkanen, M.-K. (2021). Screening for Slow Reading Acquisition in Norway and Finland : a Quest for Context Specific Predictors. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 65(4), 584-600. https://doi.org/10.1080/00313831.2020.1739130

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Solheim, Oddny Judith; Torppa, Minna; Uppstad, Per Henning; Lerkkanen, Marja-Kristiina

Journal or series: Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research

ISSN: 0031-3831

eISSN: 1470-1170

Publication year: 2021

Volume: 65

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 584-600

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00313831.2020.1739130

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/68235

Abstract

Early identification of children at risk of developing reading difficulties is crucial for effective interventions. While orthographies and educational contexts differ, predictors included in early at-risk screening tend to remain rather homogeneous across countries. In this study, we compared longitudinal prediction patterns of being among the 20 percent lowest performing in reading fluency by the end of Grade 1 in Norway (N = 918) and Finland (N =378). The two countries differ in orthographic consistency (semi-transparent versus transparent), age at school entry and pre-primary education. Letter knowledge, phoneme isolation and rapid automatized naming (RAN) were unique predictors in the Norwegian sample. Predictors in the Finnish sample were gender, phoneme blending, RAN, and reading status. The predictive model identified significantly more Finnish than Norwegian poor readers (46.2% versus 27.9%). The results suggest national screening instruments that are sensitive to educational context and orthography.

Keywords: language learning; learning difficulties; reading disorders; forecasts; comparative research; orthography

Free keywords: reading difficulties; prediction; at-risk students; cross-linguistic comparison

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Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 2