Study Group
The study included 112 third graders from 13 elementary
schools in low socioeconomic (low SES)
neighborhoods. Children from low SES backgrounds
were selected to be included in the study
because they are more likely to be identified with
learning disabilities compared to their peers from
middle and high socioeconomic families and therefore,
they are considered at-risk (Blair & Scott,
2002; Lonigan & Whitehurst, 1998; Torgesen, Wagner,
& Rashotte, 1997). In order to select students,
third grade teachers in participating schools were
asked to determine three students with reading difficulties
in their classrooms