ENHANCING SECONDARY SCHOOL LEARNERS’ READING COMPREHENSION THROUGH NEWSELA

Abstract

Reading comprehension is one of the most critical skills needed to achieve academic success and lifelong learning. This study investigated the influence of Newsela, an internet-based reading system offering leveled reading and interactive quizzes, on seventh-grade students' reading comprehension. A true-experimental pre-test/post-test approach was used in two groups of students from the Tulga Private School in Turkestan: the Newsela group and the control group relying on textbook instruction for four weeks. Data were collected via reading comprehension assessments, Newsela platform analytics, and questionnaires from the students. Statistical tests, including paired and independent samples t-tests, indicated that the experimental group recorded significantly higher gains in reading comprehension compared to the control group. Responses on the questionnaires also indicated positive student attitudes toward using Newsela to improve reading. The findings support that differentiated, technology-based resources like Newsela can fortify reading comprehension more than conventional approaches. These results make the application of digital tools in order to facilitate more specific and meaningful literacy instruction for middle school learners justifiable.