The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Self-Determined Learning Model
of Instruction(SDLMI) on the English literacy abilities including phonics, fluency, vocabulary
knowledge, and reading comprehension for English underachievers in elementary classroom. A
multiple baseline design across four English underachievers was employed and four forth-grade
English underachievers participated in the study. During the intervention period, the four
students studied English literacy content for one semester. Using the SDLMI, the students set
their goals, developed action plans, implemented and adjusted their plans, and evaluated their
progress. The entire study took 12 weeks to complete as a format as one-on-one instruction,
and each intervention session ranged from 20 to 30 minutes.
The results indicated that all four students in this study achieved and maintained
self-selected goals to mastery levels. All four students showed positive achievement in their
English literacy abilities and self-directed learning skills during the maintenance period. In
addition, all four students reached the goals which they set by themselves for English literacy
achievement, including fluency and vocabulary knowledge. In conclusion, the SDLMI with
English literacy learning program customized for underachievers appeared to be effective in
assisting underachievers in their affective domains, self-directed learning, as well as their
English literacy abilities.