What should be the emphasis of reading fluency development in education?

Reading fluency development is essential throughout a student's educational journey, extending beyond the early grades. This ongoing emphasis is crucial because fluency is not just about the ability to read quickly but also involves reading with accuracy, proper expression, and understanding of the text. As students advance to later grades, the complexity of reading materials increases, and being fluent allows them to engage more effectively with challenging texts, which are necessary for academic success across all subjects.

In later grades, the purpose of reading shifts from merely learning to read to reading to learn. Students need to be fluent to comprehend and synthesize information from various sources, which requires more than basic decoding skills. Continued focus on fluency supports vocabulary development, enhances comprehension, and aids in the ability to critically analyze texts, all of which are vital skills for higher academic achievement.

By fostering reading fluency throughout a student's educational career, educators can help ensure that students not only develop the capacity to read complex texts but also cultivate a love for reading that benefits their lifelong learning.