What is the purpose of assessing word recognition in students?

Assessing word recognition in students is primarily focused on understanding their decoding proficiency. Decoding refers to the ability to translate written words into their corresponding spoken sounds, which is crucial for reading. When students demonstrate strong word recognition skills, it indicates that they can efficiently identify words, which directly impacts their ability to decode unfamiliar words as well.

This proficiency in decoding allows students to access text more fluidly, supporting their overall reading development. While other aspects like reading grade level, comprehension abilities, and fluency are important in the context of overall literacy, the direct relationship between word recognition and decoding proficiency is what makes this the best choice. In essence, without proficient word recognition, students may struggle to comprehend texts or read fluently, as they could be bogged down by the mechanical process of decoding words rather than focusing on the meaning of the text.