What role does scaffolding play in reading interventions?

Scaffolding plays a crucial role in reading interventions by providing structured support that enables students to develop their reading skills gradually. This approach involves offering guidance and assistance as students learn new concepts and strategies, allowing them to progress at their own pace while feeling secure in their learning environment.

Through scaffolding, educators can help students reach higher levels of understanding and competence by identifying where they are struggling and providing targeted support that meets their individual needs. As students gain confidence and mastery, the support is gradually removed, leading them towards greater independence in their reading abilities. This method ensures that learners are not overwhelmed, as they are encouraged to tackle challenging tasks with the necessary tools to succeed, thereby fostering both skill development and self-efficacy in their reading journey.

The other options present misunderstandings of what scaffolding is intended to accomplish in reading interventions. For example, complete independence and focusing solely on independent reading disregard the essential support mechanisms that scaffolding provides, while suggesting that scaffolding eliminates the need for practice misrepresents its purpose, as practice remains a critical component of skill acquisition in reading.