A qualitative evaluation of a mentoring reading programme for 9-10 year olds in Northern Ireland

Odena, O. , Kehoe, S. and Miller, S. (2009) A qualitative evaluation of a mentoring reading programme for 9-10 year olds in Northern Ireland. In: British Educational Research Association (BERA) Annual Conference, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK, 2-5 Sep 2009,

Abstract

This paper discusses the qualitative evaluation of a mentoring reading programme for 9-10 year olds, which was part of a larger evaluation that used a mixed-methods approach including a Randomised Controlled Trial to determine whether there was evidence of improved outcomes for children participating in the scheme (Miller et al. 2009). The mentoring reading programme started in 1999 with 3 schools and by the time of this evaluation had more than 130 schools involved, with an emphasis on socially deprived areas. The programme consisted of volunteers from businesses in Northern Ireland, who were going one hour a week to schools to read books with children with the aim of improving the children’s reading skills and develop their enjoyment of reading. Each volunteer mentored two children for 30 minutes weekly, and stayed with the same children for the duration of the programme. This type of support scheme is perceived as very timely because the need to improve the children’s opportunities, particularly in socially deprived areas, where conditions are in part exacerbated due to recent historical events.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Additional Information: This research was funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Odena, Professor Oscar
• Authors: Odena, O., Kehoe, S., and Miller, S.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Robert Owen Centre
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2009 The Author
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with permission of the author