<![CDATA[Reading comprehension is a fundamental skill that enables elementary school students to understand information presented in written texts and supports their success in various subjects. However, some fourth-grade students at SD Negeri 6 Sanggalangi’ still struggle with reading comprehension, which impacts their overall academic performance. This study aims to analyze the factors causing low reading ability and to identify the predominant reading comprehension difficulties experienced by three fourth-grade students at SD Negeri 6 Sanggalangi’. This study employed a qualitative descriptive approach. The research subjects consisted of three fourth-grade students as the main participants, while the classroom teacher and the students’ parents served as supporting informants. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation, and analyzed using data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results of the study indicate that low reading ability is influenced by internal factors, including low intellectual ability, low interest in reading, and low motivation to learn, as well as external factors, namely learning facilities and infrastructure, the family and school environments, and teachers’ instructional competencies. Students also experienced major difficulties in distinguishing similar letters, reading long syllables and words, reading sentences fluently, identifying main ideas, answering questions based on the text, and retelling the content of the reading passage. This study concludes that improving students’ reading comprehension requires ongoing collaboration between teachers, parents, schools, and students through regular reading practice, literacy activities, and appropriate teaching strategies.]]>
