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Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter presents a review of the existing studies relevant to the

current study. The researchers have carefully searched and reviewed the key

works, theories, and findings from other authors that are closely connected to

the problem being investigated. By connecting the present study to the

existing knowledge, the researchers aim to provide a solid foundation for

understanding the importance and potential contributions of the current

investigation.

Related Literature

Reading Comprehension

According to Bongancisco (2022), reading comprehension is a

complex process requiring the ability to understand, retain, and retrieve

meaning from written texts. It involves constructing meaning by integrating

prior knowledge with new information encountered in the text. This process is

essential for students, as it directly impacts their ability to engage with

academic materials, analyze content, and apply their understanding to

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various tasks. Mastery of this skill is fundamental in achieving academic

success and addressing learning challenges. Students who struggle with

comprehension may have difficulty understanding the material presented in

academic subjects, which can affect their overall academic performance and

hinder their ability to engage fully with the learning process.

Additionally, Kendeou (2016) suggests that reading comprehension is

a vital ability for all students because it involves the process of

simultaneously obtaining and generating meaning from written language

through engagement and involvement. Understanding the meaning of words,

analyzing the author's point of view, aiming for writing, and acquiring new

vocabulary are all critical reading abilities that aid in reading comprehension.

This process is multifaceted, requiring the integration and coordination of a

variety of abilities, including word decoding, recognizing written words, and

comprehending spoken language. By developing these abilities, students are

able to navigate texts more effectively and gain a deeper understanding of

the material they encounter.

Reading Comprehension Levels of the Students

Bilbao, Donguilla, and Vasay (2016) stated that there are different

levels of reading comprehension that require various cognitive processes.

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The most basic is the literal level, where readers identify explicitly stated

ideas, facts, and details. The interpretive and evaluative levels were rated

satisfactory, with a descriptive level of moderate, illustrating the need to

provide a reading program for education students to reach the maximum

level of reading comprehension. The study suggests that while students are

capable of comprehending texts at basic levels, there is a need for further

development of higher order comprehension skills, such as analysis,

evaluation, and synthesis. Without such programs, students may struggle to

engage with more complex academic material, limiting their ability to succeed

in higher reading program could provide the necessary support to improve

students’ comprehension skills across various levels.

Reading Comprehension Challenges

Filipino students face significant challenges in reading comprehension,

which adversely affect their academic performance. Gultiano (2022) stated

that while students in Bicol are literate, they often struggle to understand

certain words in texts. This issue is reflected nationally, as a 2018 PISA

revealed that Filipino students aged 15 scored 340 points in reading

comprehension, significantly below the average of 487 points, placing the

Philippines last among 79 countries.

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Furthermore, Manguilimotan (2024) found that Grade 3 students had a

mean percentage score of 47.37% in reading comprehension, considered

failing by the Department of Education’s grading system. This underscores

the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve reading comprehension,

which is vital for academic success particularly in subjects that demand

strong comprehension skills.

Additionally, students in specialized programs experience difficulties in

understanding lessons, especially when analyzing and resolving accounting

related problems presented in English. These struggles with reading

comprehension can adversely affect academic achievement. Moreover,

educators often overlook the role of motivation in English language

education. Motivation is a key factor in fostering an environment where

students are eager to engage with academic texts leading to improve

comprehension and performance in subjects.

Integrating Skills for Effective Reading Comprehension

Improving reading comprehension is a critical skill for students, as it

enables them to succeed academically and engage in critical thinking

regarding the material they encounter. A key strategy for enhancing

comprehension is focusing on fundamental skills that support understanding,

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including decoding, vocabulary, fluency and reasoning. These skills are

essential in helping students break down complex texts and improve their

overall comprehension. Mastering these skills allow students to retain

information more effectively and connect ideas within the text.

Additionally, engaging with texts through active reading. Biedny (2015)

emphasizes the importance of strategies such as summarizing, note-taking,

and questioning, all of which require students to actively interact with the

material. These strategies enhance both understanding and recall.

Consistent practice is also necessary to reinforce these techniques helping

students build reading fluency over time.

Lastly, reciprocal teaching is an effective approach that encourages

collaborative learning to improve reading comprehension. This method

promotes peer learning and fosters critical thinking to actively engage with

one another. Through collaboration, students can deepen their understanding

and improve their ability to interpret complex texts.

Academic Performance

Academic performance is a critical indicator of student’s intellectual

growth evaluated though grades, assessments, and other measurable

outcomes. According to Dweck (2015), academic performance involves how

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a student demonstrates mastery over the material showing not just factual

recall but the ability to apply learned concepts in practical and innovative

ways. Furthermore, Sanchez et al. (2018) highlights that academic

performance is critical because it impacts students’ self-esteem, motivation,

and the development of essential skills.

Factors Influencing Reading Comprehension and Academic

Performance

According to Villanueva (2023), poor academic performance is often

attributed to a lack of mastery of subject skills, but it may actually stem from

poor reading comprehension. Measuring academic performance is

challenging since it is influenced by socio-economic, psychological, and

environmental factors. This study aims to explore the connection between

reading comprehension and academic performance to identify solutions for

helping students improve their studies. By addressing reading

comprehension challenges, educators can help students improve their overall

academic outcomes, which may positively affect their performance in all

subject areas.

Furthermore, Shi (2019) observed that cognitive abilities such as

memory and critical thinking, alongside reading skills, contribute significantly

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to overall academic performance. This observation suggests that reading

comprehension alone may not fully account for the variance in academic

success. The relationship between reading comprehension and academic

performance warrants further investigation to identify these contributing

factors and understand why academic performance can surpass reading

comprehension ability.

Lastly, Jala (2020) revealed a significant relationship between reading

rate and reading comprehension. When students improve their reading rate,

they often enhance their comprehension skills. If reading comprehension is

not assessed after measuring the reading rate, students may scan the text to

comprehend questions rather than engaging deeply with the content. It is

important to assess both reading rate and comprehension to ensure that

students are developing effective reading habits and achieving mastery in

both areas. By balancing both aspects, educators can help students become

more efficient and effective readers, which supports their overall academic

success.

Exploring the Relationship Between Reading Comprehension and

Academic Performance
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Galang (2023) stated that there is a strong correlation between

students' reading comprehension skills and their performance in academic

subjects that require understanding and interpreting written information. This

highlights the importance of reading comprehension as a fundamental skill in

education. When students have strong comprehension abilities, they are

better equipped to understand complex texts, which is essential for

performing well in subjects such as science, history, and literature. Improved

comprehension allows students to extract key information from texts, analyze

arguments, and apply their knowledge in a variety of academic tasks.

Furthermore, Akbasli (2016), students with strong reading

comprehension skills perform better in subjects like science, history, and

literature. These subjects often involve reading and understanding textbooks,

articles, primary sources, and other written materials. Proficient reading

comprehension allows students to effectively process and retain the

information presented in these texts, leading to improved academic

performance. The ability to engage with academic texts at a deeper level

supports the development of critical thinking skills, enabling students to apply

their knowledge and make connections across disciplines. Strong reading

comprehension abilities also foster independent learning, as students are

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better equipped to navigate complex texts and extract key information on

their own.

Lastly, Takal (2017), emphasized that reading comprehension plays a

crucial role in students' academic performance. Students with strong

comprehension skills are more likely to understand lesson materials, follow

instructions effectively, and apply their knowledge across different subjects.

Poor comprehension, on the other hand, can hinder their ability to grasp key

concepts, analyze information, and perform well in assessments. Therefore,

enhancing reading comprehension skills is essential for improving students'

overall academic success, as it directly impacts their ability to engage with

complex texts and retain information needed for various academic tasks.

Insights

Reading comprehension is a crucial skill for academic success, as it

allows students to fully understand and process the information they

encounter in their studies. Several studies show that strong reading

comprehension skills are closely linked to better academic performance

across various subjects. Students who struggle with reading comprehension

often face difficulties in understanding the material, which negatively impacts

their learning outcomes. The ability to decode words, understand vocabulary,

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and engage with the text meaningfully are all key components that contribute

to overall academic achievement. When students lack these skills, it hinders

their ability to succeed academically.

Moreover, the studies emphasize the importance of addressing reading

comprehension challenges in education. It is not just about being able to read

but also about understanding and interpreting the text. Students with weak

reading comprehension often perform poorly in tests and assignments that

require critical thinking and analysis. Therefore, improving reading

comprehension should be a priority in educational settings. By focusing on

developing these skills, educators can help students achieve better academic

results and become more proficient learners.

Related Studies

Development and Interactions among Academic Performance, Word

Recognition, Listening, and Reading Comprehension

According to Dias and Seabra (2015), the study examined how word

recognition, listening, and reading comprehension skills relate to academic

performance among elementary school. The study utilized various

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comprehension tests, including the Contrastive Test of Listening and Reading

Comprehension. Findings revealed that employing alphabetic and

orthographic strategies significantly boosts comprehension abilities. The

researchers emphasized the importance of continuously developing these

skills at different academic stages. This study highlights the foundation role of

reading skills in educational success.

Effects of Reading Comprehension on the Performance in Science and

Mathematics

Akbasli et al. (2016), explored how the reading comprehension effects

on students’ academic performance in science and mathematics. The

findings revealed that students with higher comprehension skills performed

better in technical subjects. The study highlighted the need for integrating

reading skill development within science and mathematics curricula,

providing importance of comprehension skills across non-language subjects.

The Role of Interactive Reading Strategies in Enhancing Reading

Comprehension

On the other hand, Ashford (2024) examines the role of interactive

reading strategies in improving reading comprehension among lower primary

students in the United Kingdom. These strategies, which focus on active

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participation, collaboration, and critical engagement with texts, have proven

effective in addressing cognitive, social, and emotional aspects of literacy

development. The findings indicate that incorporating interactive reading

strategies into classroom practices can foster deeper comprehension, boost

students’ confidence and cultivate a lifelong passion for reading.

Improving Reading Comprehension Through the Use of Interactive

Reading Strategies

Likewise, Ruiz (2015) conducted a quantitative quasi-experimental

study to examine the effect of interactive reading strategies on the reading

comprehension of Grade 8 students. The treatment group, which used

strategies like predicting, visualizing, and questioning the text, showed

significant improvement in reading comprehension. While, the control group’s

scores remained unchanged. The findings suggest that interactive strategies

are more effective than traditional methods in enhancing reading

comprehension skills.

In contrast, the study by Maala and Mkandawire (2022) revealed that

factors contributing to low performance in English reading comprehension

included teachers’ inadequate knowledge of teaching methods, illiteracy,

limited fluency, low reading culture, insufficient vocabulary, and a poor

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motivation. Limited resources and ineffective teaching strategies led many

students to score within the “Satisfactory” range.

Reading Ability and Academic Performance in South Africa

Pretorius (2015) investigates the relationship between reading skills

and academic performance at the undergraduate level in South Africa. The

findings revealed that additional language students often struggle with

reading comprehension, limiting their ability to access vital learning materials.

The study emphasizes the importance of reading as a tool for acquiring new

knowledge and constructing meaning within an educational context.

The Impact of Reading Comprehension Levels on Academic

Performance

Additionally, Anto (2023) examined the relationship between reading

comprehension levels and academic performance among Grade VI learners.

The study found that students with higher reading comprehension levels

tended to have better academic performance. The finding revealed that

enhancing students’ reading comprehension skills can lead to improved

performance across various subjects.

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The Relationship Between Students' Reading Comprehension and Their

Achievement in English

Lastly, Hijazi (2018) explores the relationship between reading

comprehension and achievement in English, using multiple-choice reading

comprehension tests and achievement tests. The study found that both

reading comprehension and achievement in English were of medium level,

with no significant differences based on gender.

Reading Comprehension and Academic Performance in English among

Grade Seven Learners

Supporting this study are local studies from the Philippines. For

example, a study by Espia and Cortezano (2022) conducted a study

investigating the relationship between reading comprehension and academic

performance among Grade Seven learners in the Philippines. Their findings

showed no significant relationship, challenging the hypothesis that reading

comprehension influences academic performance. However, it was found

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that higher reading comprehension correlated with better academic

achievement, suggesting that teachers should focus on enhancing students'

reading comprehension skills.

Pupils’ Reading Comprehension, Problem-Solving Skills, and Academic

Performance

Another study by Jala (2020), examines the relationship between

reading comprehension, problem-solving skills, and academic performance.

Using Pearson's correlation coefficient, the study found significant

correlations between reading comprehension and both academic

performance and problem-solving skills. The study concludes that improving

reading comprehension can positively impact students' academic and

problem-solving abilities.

Exploring the Relationship Between Reading Comprehension Skills and

Academic Performance Among UV-D Education Students

Villanueva (2023) investigates the relationship between reading

comprehension skills and academic performance among UV-D education

students using a mixed-methods approach. The study’s quantitative phase

involved analyzing academic performance data, while the qualitative phase

provided deeper insights through interviews. The findings suggest that

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reading comprehension skills are strongly correlated with academic

performance, validating the importance of these skills for student success.

Reading Comprehension of General Academic Strand Senior High

School Students

Furthermore, the study by Maranga, Maranga, and Bacatan (2023)

study the reading comprehension levels of General Academic Strand (GAS)

Senior High School students. Using a descriptive-comparative research

design, they found that students' reading comprehension level was moderate.

The study also found that there were no significant differences in reading

comprehension levels based on gender, emphasizing the need for targeted

strategies to improve reading skills among students.

Factors Affecting the Reading Comprehension of Intermediate Level

Learners

Likewise, Torres (2019) investigated the factors affecting reading

comprehension of intermediate level learners at the City of Malolos

Integrated School-Babatnin. Using a quantitative descriptive-survey method,

the study found that teacher strategies did not impact reading comprehension

while home related factors, lack of reading materials and low prior knowledge

and motivation hindered students’ comprehension skills. The study suggests

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further research, programs to motivate students, parental education on

reading materials and alternative strategies to encourage reading.

Additionally, Villanueva (2018) stated that many Filipino students

struggle with reading comprehension due to limited exposure to reading

materials, inadequate instructional practices, and a lack of targeted

interventions. The study revealed that most individuals were at the

instructional level, requiring assistance in understanding English texts. The

schools should prioritize interventions and enrichment programs to

strengthen students’ reading skills and overall academic performance.

The Impact of Reading Comprehension on Academic Performance of

Students

And, finally, Compe (2018) investigates the impact of reading

comprehension on students' academic performance, revealing that most

students were at a frustration level in their reading comprehension skills. The

study found that students' reading comprehension had a significant impact on

their academic performance, particularly in English, suggesting that

improving reading comprehension should be a priority for enhancing overall

academic success.

Insights
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Reading comprehension plays a critical role in academic performance,

as it directly influences students' ability to understand and engage with the

material across various subjects. When students can effectively comprehend

reading content, their academic achievement improves, as reading

comprehension supports the acquisition of knowledge and the application of

learned concepts. Therefore, focusing on enhancing students' reading

comprehension skills is essential for their success in school.

Additionally, improving reading comprehension through targeted

interventions has been shown to positively impact academic outcomes.

Programs aimed at strengthening reading skills can lead to better

performance in subjects such as English, mathematics, and science. The

importance of reading comprehension as a foundational skill for academic

achievement cannot be overstated, and efforts to improve it can significantly

enhance students' overall learning experience.