The art and science of reading fluency and fluency instruction

Although often neglected and misunderstood, reading fluency has been identified as a critical competency for proficient reading. In this essay we define fluency, present its uneven history, identify and describe effective methods of instruction and assessment, and explore future questions that scholarly inquiry might address as well as future opportunities for fluency to improve literacy outcomes. A fuller understanding of reading fluency and its importance has the potential for making significant improvements in literacy outcomes for students learning to read English and other world languages.