ENGLISH:
This study aims to analyze the implementation of the Partner Reading Strategy in improving students’ reading comprehension and to determine whether there is a significant difference in reading comprehension between students taught using the Partner Reading Strategy and those taught using conventional teaching methods in the eighth grade at SMP Negeri 1 Sungailiat. A quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental design was applied in this study. Participants were selected from eighth-grade students, with a total sample of 70 students. They were divided equally into an experimental group and a control group, with 35 students in each class. To measure students' reading comprehension, pre- and post-tests consisting of 23 multiple-choice questions based on descriptive texts were administered. The tests focused on three aspects of reading comprehension: identifying the main idea, understanding vocabulary, and making inferences. After data collection, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, normality and homogeneity tests, paired-sample t-tests, and independent-sample t-tests with the help of SPSS.

Based on classroom observations, students actively participated throughout the learning process. They collaborated with their partners, exchanged ideas when discussing the reading text, and supported each other when facing difficulties. As the learning activity progressed, students showed improved performance in identifying the main idea, understanding vocabulary in context, and making inferences from the text. Statistical analysis also showed that the experimental group obtained a higher mean post-test score of 74.43 compared to the control group.