The primary goal of reading instruction is to develop what ability?

• A. Spelling letters in isolation
• B. Recognize every word flawlessly
• C. Comprehension and strategic reading
• D. Read as quickly as possible

Answer: (C)

Understanding text and using strategies to figure out meaning are the main aims of reading instruction. When students read, they’re not just decoding letters; they’re learning to interpret ideas, connect them to what they already know, and monitor their understanding as they go. This is why comprehension and strategic reading matter most: being able to summarize, question, predict, visualize, and adjust tactics helps students make sense of what they read, even when words are new or the text is complex.

Spelling letters in isolation focuses on forming and recognizing individual letters and sounds, which is important for decoding, but it’s not the overarching goal of reading instruction. Expecting to recognize every single word flawlessly isn’t realistic—readers can understand text even when some words are unfamiliar. Reading as quickly as possible prioritizes speed over meaning, and that can undermine understanding. The aim is to read well enough to grasp and analyze the material, using strategies that support comprehension.