What do fluency checks measure in student reading?

Fluency checks specifically focus on assessing a student's ability to read with accuracy, appropriate speed or rate, and prosody, which refers to the rhythm and intonation of speech. When students read fluently, it indicates they can decode words accurately and quickly, allowing them to focus more on comprehension rather than struggling with word recognition.

Accuracy measures how correct the reading is, ensuring that the student is pronouncing words correctly and understanding their meanings. Rate examines how quickly a student can read without compromising accuracy, which is important for maintaining comprehension during reading. Prosody involves the expression and phrasing in reading, revealing a student's understanding of punctuation and emotional tone within the text.

Thus, fluency checks provide critical insights into a student's overall reading capabilities, highlighting not just how well they can say the words, but how effectively they can convey the meaning behind those words through expression and pacing. This multifaceted approach makes fluency checks essential for gauging reading proficiency and pinpointing areas for growth in student literacy.