According to the Reading Growth Continuum, reading fluency is described as what type of process?

Reading fluency is best described as a developmental linguistic process. This characterization emphasizes that fluency involves not just the ability to decode words accurately but also encompasses the broader aspects of language development. This includes smoothness, speed, and prosody in reading, all of which result from ongoing experience and practice with language.

As students engage with increasingly complex texts, their reading fluency grows alongside their vocabulary knowledge, comprehension skills, and understanding of syntax and grammar. This process is dynamic and evolves as learners are exposed to diverse reading materials and experiences, thereby refining their ability to read smoothly and effectively over time.

The other options suggest misconceptions about the nature of fluency as a learning process. For instance, viewing fluency as stagnant or as a skill that only emerges in later grades neglects the ongoing growth that occurs through early exposure to literacy and rich linguistic environments. Additionally, the idea of fluency being an advanced skill that follows basic reading mastery does not capture the continuous interaction between these elements throughout a child's reading development. Thus, considering reading fluency as a developmental linguistic process provides a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of how fluency evolves in readers.