FY 2008 Annual Report of Achievements - Gallaudet University

Reading achievement of graduates. About half of high school-age deaf and hard of
hearing students leaving special education programs read below the fourth grade level. 1 The average
reading level of MSSD graduates was 8.4 (see Table 58). Graduates who were members of
traditionally underserved racial/ethnic groups had an average reading level near the middle of sixth
grade (6.5). These students demonstrated a wide range of reading comprehension, from second
grade to post-high school. Caucasian graduates had an average reading level of the beginning of
tenth grade (10.3) and a range of scores from fourth grade to post-high school.
Table 57. Percentage of MSSD Graduates Reading at Different Grade Levels by Race/Ethnicity,
AY 2007-2008
138
Grade equivalent
level
All graduates
(N=46)
MSSD graduates
Caucasian
graduates
(N=22)
All traditionally
underserved
racial/ethnic groups
(N=24)
All levels 100% 100% 100%
Post high school 22% 32% 13%
12.0-12.9 0% 0% 0%
11.0-11.9 0% 0% 0%
10.0-10.9 15% 23% 8%
9.0-9.9 9% 9% 8%
8.0-8.9 2% 0% 4%
7.0-7.9 4% 5% 4%
6.0-6.9 11% 14% 8%
5.0-5.9 22% 9% 33%
4.0-4.9 4% 9% 0%
3.0-3.9 9% 0% 17%
2.0-2.9 2% 0% 4%
1.0-1.9 0% 0% 0%
Note. Scores are based on the Reading Comprehension subtests of the Stanford Achievement Test, 10th Edition and
Test of Academic Skills (TASK). Totals may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
1. Allen, T.E. (1994). Who are the deaf and hard of hearing children leaving high school and entering postsecondary
education? Retrieved September 1, 2008, from http://gri.gallaudet.edu/AnnualSurvey/whodeaf.html