Reading rate and academic performance in the last grade of elementary school

Abstract

Reading rate (number of words read per minute) is one of the aspects observed in reading fluency. This study characterized reading rate in the ninth grade of elementary school, according to the text and academic performance, investigating possible correlations between these variables. Thirty-two students were grouped in accordance with their average achievement scores and they read two different texts aloud and silently. Reading rate ranged from 96.05 words per minute (unpracticed reading) to 219.41 (reading aloud preceded by initial reading aloud). The text exerted an influence on reading aloud (likely the frequency and number of characters in words of the Portuguese language). Estimated speed during silent reading was faster than the one observed during reading aloud. A correlation was found between reading rate and academic performance. Brazilian reference values are required to evaluate the reading rate at different ages and different levels of schooling.