Fluency is a critical component of reading and it is something educators focus on as soon as students can begin to recognize letters and high-frequency words. Fluency involves decoding words effortlessly; recognizing irregular and high-frequency words automatically; yet it is more than word-reading accuracy. Fluency involves reading at an appropriate rate—neither too quickly nor too slowly. It involves paying attention not only to punctuation marks, but determining suitable interpretation of the passage through inflection, intonation, and voice to effectively communicate the meaning of the words on the page.
Students who lack fluency or who are considered dysfluent, often struggle to decode, impeding comprehension. The opposite might also be true. Some students read quickly but with little or no expression, and therefore do not comprehend well.
Fluency can and should be taught in the classroom. Helping teachers to understand how to effectively monitor, teach, and provide practice opportunities, is the goal of our training.
