Effects of the Add-A-Word Spelling Program on Test Accuracy, Grades, and Retention of Spelling Words with Fifth and Sixth Grade Regular Education Students

ABSTRACT

This study compares the Add-A-Word spelling program to a traditional basal spelling program in an intermediate grade school classroom. The participants were 16 fifth and sixth grade students enrolled in a private parochial school. A counterbalanced time series design was employed to evaluate the effects of the Add-A-Word program across two groups of students. The overall results indicate that students' weekly tests significantly increased during the Add-A-Word program each time it was in effect. The participants received higher quarterly letter grades in spelling during the Add-A-Word condition than during basal instruction. Retention rates on 9-week, 50 word tests were not affected by either the Add-A-Word or basal procedures but gradually increased over time. Benefits to students as well as the difficulties of implementing the Add-A-Word Spelling program are outlined.