How can teachers best support struggling readers?

Providing targeted interventions and additional resources for practice is the most effective way for teachers to support struggling readers. This approach allows educators to tailor their instruction to meet individual students' needs, ensuring that interventions are specific to the areas where students are facing challenges. Targeted interventions can include more focused reading strategies, skill-building exercises, and resources that cater to a student's specific proficiency level.

This method is successful because it not only addresses the gaps in knowledge or skills that a struggling reader may have, but it also helps build their confidence and motivation to read. By utilizing additional resources, such as specialized texts, phonics programs, or reading comprehension aids, teachers can provide a supportive learning environment that fosters growth and improvement over time.

Other options, such as assigning the same tasks as advanced readers, avoiding direct feedback, or reducing reading material requirements, do not effectively promote the development of reading skills. Assigning identical tasks overlooks the unique challenges faced by struggling readers, while avoiding feedback deprives them of the guidance necessary for growth. Reducing reading requirements may also limit exposure to essential texts and reduce opportunities for practice, which are critical for developing reading proficiency.