Effects of Reading Instruction on Learning Outcomes in Social Studies: A Synthesis of Quantitative Research

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This study used meta-analytic techniques to synthesize quantitative research studies that examined the effects of literacy instruction set in social studies classrooms (grades 6–12) on students’ academic content learning and reading comprehension. An extensive search of the scholarly literature between 1983 and 2013 yielded a total of 12 intervention studies that provided literacy instruction to secondary students within social studies classes and quantitatively measured content learning outcomes, reading comprehension, or both. Findings revealed that content learning outcomes were consistently improved with instruction that included text-processing activities such as summarizing and generating questions. Although many social studies teachers do not provide explicit reading supports, in part because they perceive that the time needed to do so is prohibitive, the findings of this synthesis suggest that sound reading practices hold promise as a means through which teachers can help students better access social studies content, thus improving student learning outcomes. More rigorous quantitative research is needed to further understand the causal effects of literacy practices in social studies settings.

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