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Literacy 7-12

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Literacy 7-12 > Factors > Speed of Processing

Speed of Processing

Factor Connections

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How Speed of Processing connects to...

Speed of Processing is the rate at which we perceive and process information and formulate an appropriate response. When we read and write, we are perceiving and processing an incredible array of information—letters, words, punctuation, layout—and have to choose and apply the right skills for understanding it all. As students develop their reading skills, their Speed of Processing becomes particularly important for Reading Fluency. As such, supporting students as they develop their Speed of Processing skills helps them become quick, efficient, confident, and successful readers and writers.

Main Ideas

For literacy, Speed of Processing influences:

  • The rate at which students can recognize and pronounce words;
  • The rate at which students can accurately read and write text;
  • How well students can understand reading material; and
  • How well students can plan what they want to write.

Students' Speed of Processing may be reduced during puberty due to an increase in neural connections that leads to less efficient cognitive processing. Additionally, for many learners with dyslexia or ADHD, processing speed may be affected when reading and writing, resulting in slower reading times and difficulties skimming text for relevant words.

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