Adaptive Design for Critical Literacy: Validation of Readability-Based Reading Materials and HOTS Assessment in Indonesian Education (Grades 4–12)
Adaptive Design for Critical Literacy: Validation of Readability-Based Reading Materials and HOTS Assessment in Indonesian Education (Grades 4–12)

Summary/Abstract: Background/purpose. This study developed and validated adaptive reading materials based on readability integrated with Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) assessment for Indonesian elementary and secondary school students (grades 4–12). Materials/methods. This study used a Research and Development (R&D) design. The materials were reconstructed based on the Flesch– Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) linear progression for grades 4–12, and the HOTS (C3–C6) assessment was designed to be calibrated. Validation was conducted by various stakeholders (N≈3000 students, N≈250 teachers, N=12 experts). Effectiveness was tested using a quasiexperimental design (Paired Sample T-test) with a sample of N=30, supplemented by item psychometric analysis (Difficulty and Discrimination Indices). Using a Research and Development (R&D) design based on the Borg & Gall model, this study involved multistakeholder validation with approximately 3,000 students, 250 teachers, and 12 experts, followed by a quasi-experimental effectiveness test (N=30). Results. The results show high design validity and successful text calibration with Flesch Reading Ease scores ranging from 85.2 (Grade 4) to 45.1 (Grade 12). High acceptance from stakeholders (average score >4.0/5.0). Psychometric analysis confirmed the difficulty level of most HOTS items (C3–C5). Effectiveness testing proved a significant improvement in critical reading competency (average increase of 12.567 points; p=0.000). Conclusion. This integrated adaptive design model has proven to be valid, feasible, and significantly effective in optimising Critical Reading Competency. This product offers a data-driven and scalable benchmark for improving critical literacy in Indonesian primary and secondary education.

• Details
• Contents