Self-correction rate observed in running records helps teachers determine which aspect?

• A. It reflects a student's vocabulary knowledge
• B. How often a student self-corrects during reading, informing instruction
• C. It measures a student's spelling accuracy
• D. It indicates a student's reading rate only

Answer: (B)

Self-correction rate in running records shows how often a reader notices and fixes errors while reading, which highlights the student’s ability to monitor meaning and use strategies to correct decoding or comprehension slips. This information helps teachers tailor instruction by indicating whether a student is actively self-monitoring and where to focus support—such as decoding strategies, self-check routines, or prompting for cross-checking meaning. Vocabulary knowledge and spelling accuracy are separate skills, and reading rate speaks to speed rather than how often a reader self-corrects. So the observed self-correction rate is the best lens for informing instruction about the student’s self-monitoring during reading.