TEXES Science of Teaching Reading Practice Test

In deciding whether a student should advance to a more difficult text, which element is the LEAST important to consider?

1. Comprehension

2. Fluency

3. Word accuracy

4. Vocabulary knowledge

The correct answer is: Vocabulary knowledge

When determining whether a student is ready to advance to a more challenging text, various factors are taken into account to assess their reading capabilities. Vocabulary knowledge, while significant, is the least critical among the options provided. This is because comprehension, fluency, and word accuracy directly impact a student's ability to understand and engage with more complex texts. Comprehension indicates how well a student can interpret and make sense of what they read; fluency reflects their reading speed and regularity, influencing how smoothly they can navigate higher-level materials; and word accuracy demonstrates their ability to correctly recognize words, which is foundational for both comprehension and fluency. Although vocabulary knowledge is important for overall literacy development, a student may still be able to comprehend texts at a higher level without having a vast vocabulary. In some cases, exposure to more complex texts can actually facilitate vocabulary growth. Therefore, while vocabulary is a useful asset, it does not hold the same immediate weight in the decision-making process related to advancing a student to more difficult reading materials as the other three factors do.