An Investigation into the Impact of Reading Strategies Used by High School Students on Their Reading Proficiency and Gender Variations in the Utilization of These Strategies

Metacognitive reading strategies are essential for improving students' reading skills. Various studies have emphasized their importance, particularly in the Ethiopian context. However, relatively few of these investigations have looked into how gender impacts the application of these strategies. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between students’ strategy use and their reading performance, particularly highlighting any notable differences between male and female students. To this end, one hundred and thirty (71 female and 59 male) grade nine students participated in the study. Data were collected using the TOEFL reading comprehension test and the Metacognitive Reading Strategy Inventory (MARSI). The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 was utilized for data analysis. Detail analysis removed The result showed a significant relationship between the utilization of strategies and reading performance. The t-test indicated no notable differences in overall strategy usage between male and female students collectively. When examining the achievement levels of male and female students, significant differences in strategy usage were found for both low and high achievers. However, there were no significant differences identified among male and female students performing at a medium level. The study suggests that ninth-grade students would benefit from enhanced opportunities to employ effective reading strategies. Future research could build on these findings by expanding the scope of the investigation.