Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

What is phonological awareness and phonics a predictor of in reading development?

1. Reading Fluency

2. Reading Success

3. Spelling Accuracy

4. Speech Development

The correct answer is: Reading Fluency

Phonological awareness and phonics are foundational skills that play a significant role in assessing a child's reading development. Phonological awareness refers to the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken language, while phonics involves the connection between these sounds and their written representations. Together, these skills are critical predictors of reading fluency, which is the ability to read text accurately, quickly, and with proper expression. When students have strong phonological awareness and phonics skills, they can decode words effectively, which leads to smoother and more efficient reading. This fluency not only enhances comprehension but also contributes to overall reading success. In contrast, while reading success encompasses fluency alongside comprehension, it also includes other factors such as vocabulary and background knowledge. Thus, it is a broader concept than just fluency. Spelling accuracy relates more to the ability to encode words using phonetic knowledge rather than directly measuring reading fluency. Lastly, speech development is a distinct area that overlaps with phonological awareness but doesn't directly correlate with reading fluency specifically. Therefore, the most accurate predictor of reading development in this context is reading fluency.