Connecting Text by Inference and Technology (Connect-IT)

Overview

The purpose of the Connect-IT project is to test an intervention for improving the reading comprehension skills of middle school students. Specifically, the Connect-IT intervention is aimed at improving students’ ability to make inferences when they read, which is a critical skill for understanding and learning from text. Project researchers developed the intervention in year 1 and field-tested computer-based and teacher-led versions in year 2. During year 3 (2018–2019 school year), the project is implementing a randomized controlled trial to contrast the effects on middle schoolers’ reading comprehension skills of computer-based Connect-IT, teacher-led Connect-IT, and school-designed business-as-usual intervention.