Which intervention is critical for a student who struggles to read grade-level text accurately?

Direct instruction in phonics and word analysis is crucial for a student who struggles to read grade-level text accurately because these skills form the foundation of reading. Phonics instruction helps students understand the relationships between letters and sounds, enabling them to decode unfamiliar words. Word analysis involves teaching students strategies to break down complex words into manageable parts, such as prefixes, suffixes, and root words. Together, these strategies equip students with the tools they need to approach grade-level text with greater confidence and accuracy.

In contrast, interventions that focus solely on reading fluency without addressing the fundamental phonetic skills may not support the learner's overall reading development. Advanced comprehension practices, on the other hand, can be beneficial but primarily for students who have already developed basic decoding skills; they are not appropriate for those who have not yet mastered reading accuracy. Similarly, creative writing techniques, while valuable for expression and engagement, do not address the specific decoding and word recognition challenges that are necessary for reading proficiency. Thus, the most effective approach for struggling readers involves direct instruction in the foundational skills of phonics and word analysis.