What area is Sarah most likely to need direct instruction in based on her reading assessment?

The answer indicates that Sarah is most likely to need direct instruction in fluency, which involves the ability to read a text smoothly and accurately, with appropriate pacing and expression. Fluency is essential for effective reading because it allows students to focus on understanding the content rather than decoding individual words. If a student struggles with fluency, it can hinder their overall reading comprehension and engagement.

Direct instruction in fluency could involve practices such as repeated reading, reading aloud with guidance, and incorporating strategies that increase speed and accuracy in reading. These targeted activities support the development of fluency, leading to improvements in comprehension and confidence in reading tasks.

In contrast, focusing on areas like syllabication rules, comprehension, or context clues would address different aspects of reading but would not directly enhance the mechanics and rhythmic flow of reading that fluency instruction does. Thus, prioritizing fluency is vital for Sarah's overall reading development.