A study of the reading status and mental ability of freshmen entering St. Francis Brothers School and relationship to academic success

The purpose of this study is to study the status of reading of students in the St. Francis Brothers School, the present available facilities, and the equipment in order to make plans for an efficient reading program. More specifically, this study will try to find answers to the following questions: 1) What is the average intelligence of students entering the school? 2) What is the reading level of Freshmen entering the high school over a four year period? 3) In which areas are the greatest weaknesses and in which areas are there the greatest strengths? 4) What is presently being done at the school in reading? 5) What facilities and materials are already available? 6) According to the judgment of the faculty members, are the students meeting present reading needs? 7) What recommendations for developing a highly efficient program for the Lay Brother follow from this study? The significance of this study lies in the importance of providing high school candidates for the Brotherhood with the best possible education. Therefore, two elements must be considered: (1) The primary aim of the school is to prepare young men for a religious vocation in the Capuchin Brotherhood. (2) Many of these young men entering the school will drop out and enter other high schools. When considering a reading program for the school, the needs of the young men in the school and, at the same time, the boys who will drop out must be considered. Keeping the above mentioned in mind, the present research wishes to lay the ground work for a reading curriculum at this school