Interindividual differences in the development of reading self-concept and intrinsic and importance value throughout secondary school

In this study we examined interindividual differences in intraindividual development of reading self-concept, intrinsic value, and importance value between grade 5 and grade 9 from a situated expectancy-value theory perspective. Growth mixture modelling with data from 1507 (49% girls) secondary school students from Germany indicated four developmental trajectories. We labelled these trajectories: Increasing Values (n = 83, 6%); Declining Importance Value (n = 251, 17%); Declining Values (n = 444, 29%); and Declining Self-Concept and Values (n = 729, 48%). The likelihood of following the Increasing Values or the Declining Values trajectory was lower for girls than boys. Furthermore, students following the Declining Self-Concept and Values trajectory had higher SES than students following the other three trajectories. Students following the Declining Self-Concept and Values trajectory had the highest reading comprehension in grade 5, although this advantage declined by grade 9. Our findings suggest that students may benefit from interventions that support intrinsic value, particularly at the start of secondary school.