How should a reader's native language be treated in miscues analysis according to the guidelines?

• A. It should not count against them.
• B. It should be noted as a deficit.
• C. It should be counted as a miscue.
• D. It should be ignored.

Answer: (A)

In miscues analysis, the aim is to understand how a reader processes the text in English, not to judge their language background. A reader’s native language can influence pronunciation, word choices, or how they approach unfamiliar terms, but these differences don’t reflect a weakness in English decoding or comprehension. Therefore, they should not count against the reader. You can note language background as context, but it won’t reduce the reader’s score or be treated as a deficit. The focus stays on how well the reader uses strategies to make meaning from the text and where targeted support can help, while recognizing that bilingualism can bring transfer effects that aren’t indicative of English-reading failure.