How do decoding strategies assist students who struggle with fluency?

Decoding strategies are crucial for helping students who struggle with reading fluency because they directly address the skills needed to understand and process written text. By enabling students to break down words into their component sounds and structures, these strategies promote better comprehension of the material they are reading. When students learn to decode effectively, they can recognize words more readily, which means they can focus on the meaning of the text rather than the mechanics of reading it.

This understanding is vital for fluency, as reading is not just about saying words correctly; it's about grasping the content and context of those words. The fluency that comes from being able to decode efficiently directly enhances a student's ability to engage with and understand what they read, making it easier for them to comprehend longer and more complex texts.

In contrast, other options like reading silently or memorizing words do not directly address the challenges students face with fluency in the same way that effective decoding strategies do. Focusing solely on pronunciation also misses the essential connection between decoding and comprehension.