Abstract

• The main aim of this study is to investigate visual perception ability and reading achievement of Grade 2 students in Aunglan Township. The quantitative research design and descriptive survey method were used in the present study. The total of 826 (male=413 and female=413) Grade 2 students were selected as participants by using simple random sampling technique. As research instruments, motor-free visual perception test-fourth edition (MVPT-4, five subtests) and reading achievement test (four subtests) were adapted and applied. The p -value and point-biserial correlation of the items in both tests were analyzed by using Bilog-MG Software. The internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) of motor free visual perception test-fourth edition was .704 and that of reading achievement test was 0.958. The t test result indicated that significant difference was not found in visual perception ability by gender. But, the results indicated that female students had higher reading achievement than male students. Moreover, ANOVA result explored that students of high socio-economic status (SES) Group scored higher visual perception ability and reading achievement than those of other socio-economic status (SES) Groups. In this study, Grade 2 students in Middle School were highest in visual perception ability and those of High School were highest in reading achievement. Correlation matrix showed that studen ts’ visual perception ability was positively correlated with their reading achievement (r=.56, p<0.01). As early grades students’ general visual perception scores increased, reading achievement increased. In addition to, linear regression result indicated that 31.3% of the variance in reading achievement was explained by students’ visual perception ability. Better performance in visual perceptual ability contributes to classroom challenges influencing reading achievement. In early grades of education determining children's reading, reading achievement and visual perceptual ability are considered necessary for their post-education life.