Which type of text would be most appropriate for students needing to improve reading rates and build automaticity?

The most appropriate text type for students needing to improve reading rates and build automaticity is independent-level texts. These texts are suited to a student's reading ability and allow them to engage with materials that challenge them without being frustrating. When students read independently at their instructional level, they are more likely to experience success, which builds their confidence and motivation.

Reading independent-level texts enables them to practice fluent reading and develop a faster pace because they can recognize most of the words with ease, leading to better automaticity. Automaticity refers to the ability to read without having to decode each word, which is crucial for developing overall reading proficiency.

Other text types may serve specific purposes, like decodable texts, which are designed for practicing specific phonetic patterns, or predictable texts, which rely on repeating patterns and familiar language structures. While these can support certain aspects of reading development, they may not provide the same level of engagement and practice necessary for developing speed and fluency as independent-level texts. On the other hand, complex academic texts can be too advanced for students needing to build these skills, as they might struggle with comprehension and decoding, hindering their growth in reading rates and automaticity.