Degree of Loss and Reading Achievement of Pupils with Special Needs in Integrated Educational Programmes in Plateau State, Nigeria

Charity Ashelo Andzayi¹, Emmanuel Uminya Ikwen², Abu Egwa Ozegya¹, Emmanuel Agbo Owobi^1
(1. Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Education, University of Jos, Nigeria;
2. Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria)

Abstract: The paper examined the degree of loss and reading achievement of pupils with special needs in mainstreamed educational programme in Plateau state, Nigeria. The purpose of the study was to find out the effects of degree of loss on reading achievement of pupils with special needs in the categories of visual impairment, hearing impairment, and learning disabilities. One research question and two hypotheses were posed for investigation. The study utilized both correlational and causal comparative designs (expost factor). Thirty (30) subjects participated in the study. The instruments used included 100 high frequency words, and reading texts which were equally brailled for pupils with visual impairment. Results indicated that the general reading ability of the pupils with special needs was poor and at frustration level. It is poorer in word recognition than reading achievement of the pupils with mild and those with moderate degrees of disabilities following the intervention. Based on these findings, the researchers made some recommendations for the improvement of reading ability of pupils with special needs in integrated programmers.

Key words: degree of loss, reading achievement, pupils with special needs, educational programme