If a student has good decoding and phonics skills but still faces reading difficulties, what area should the reading specialist analyze next?

When a student demonstrates solid decoding and phonics skills yet continues to struggle with reading, focusing on vocabulary knowledge becomes crucial. Vocabulary is foundational to reading comprehension; without a sufficient grasp of the words being read, even proficient decoders may find themselves unable to fully understand the text. A limited vocabulary can hinder a student's ability to make connections, infer meaning, and engage with the material at a deeper level.

Addressing vocabulary knowledge involves assessing both the breadth (the number of words known) and the depth (the meanings and applications of those words) of a student’s vocabulary. By enhancing vocabulary, a student is better equipped to tackle complex texts, understand context, and improve overall reading comprehension, which are essential for academic success.

In contrast, while reading fluency, writing abilities, and comprehension strategies are also important components of reading proficiency, they may not directly address the underlying issues that come from a limited vocabulary. If a student can decode words accurately but lacks understanding due to insufficient vocabulary, improving this area is a logical next step to support the student's reading development.