How is structured literacy defined?

• A. An instructional approach that emphasizes explicit, systematic teaching of reading, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
• B. A program focused on silent reading only.
• C. A spelling-only curriculum.
• D. A traditional whole-language approach.

Answer: (A)

Structured literacy is an explicit, systematic approach to teaching reading that centers on five interconnected components: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Instruction is clear and guided, with careful sequencing so students acquire decoding skills before relying on context, and it uses ongoing assessment to tailor instruction. Texts used are often decodable to align with students’ current decoding abilities, allowing accurate practice and gradual increase in complexity. This approach reflects how proficient reading develops by building sound-letter connections, recognizing words automatically, and understanding meaning.

This definition fits because it emphasizes explicit instruction and a structured progression across the key parts of reading, rather than relying on silent or unguided reading, focusing only on spelling, or adopting a traditional whole-language style that assumes reading will emerge from exposure without explicit teaching.