The College of Education announces the final Dissertation of

Tiffany Tucker

for the degree of Doctor of Education

October 13, 2016 at 10:00 am in 320 Ball Hall

Major Advisor: Deborah Watlington, PhD

THE EFFECTS OF TEACHER-SET AND STUDENT-SET ACCELERATED READER GOAL SETTING ON READING COMPREHENSION AND STUDENT ATTITUDES TOWARDS READING IN FOURTH- AND FIFTH-GRADE STUDENTS

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this research study was to compare the impact of Teacher-Set Accelerated Reader goals (TSAR) with Student-Set Accelerated Reader goals (SSAR) of fourth- and fifth-grade students. The goal was to determine which type of goal setting approach influences reading growth as measured by the easyCBM assessment as well as student attitudes towards reading. Results provide little support that student’s or teacher’s choice of AR goals will enhance the student’s chances of AR goal attainment, other analysis of students’ posttest scores indicates allowing students to choose their own goals is linked to greater growth in reading.