Factors Influencing the Improvement of Elementary Students' Basic Reading Skills: A Mixed-Methods Approach from the Teachers' Perspective

Abstract

This study analyzed factors influencing elementary students' basic reading skills enhancement from teachers' perspectives, focusing on the impact of digital environment changes and diverse learning methods. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research unfolded in two phases: analysis of students' Korean language scores and a teacher survey on reading skill improvement factors, followed by teacher interviews based on survey outcomes. Teachers identified three main factors contributing to the improvement of students' basic reading skills: strengthening teamwork through regular learning, lesson planning, and mutual support among teachers; sharing students' incremental achievement assessment results within the grade to identify areas of growth; and setting continuous improvement of reading skills and literacy enhancement as a primary goal at the school level. These findings indicate that teachers prioritize team-based learning and collaboration. Enhancing basic reading skills requires strengthening teacher collaboration, sharing achievement insights to identify growth areas, and establishing literacy improvement as a school-wide goal, necessitating specific educational strategies and policies.