What stage follows the novice reader stage in the development of reading?

The stage that follows the novice reader stage in the development of reading is typically the fluent, comprehending reader stage. In this stage, readers have moved beyond basic decoding skills and can read text smoothly and with appropriate expression. They not only recognize words more quickly but also understand and interpret the text, allowing for deeper comprehension.

The fluent, comprehending reader can handle a range of texts, including complex narratives and informational material, and they begin to engage with the content critically, making connections, and drawing inferences. This marks a significant transition from the novice stage, where the primary focus is on sounding out words and grasping the basics of written language.

In contrast, the decoding reader stage is characterized by developing the ability to sound out words effectively but not yet achieving the fluency and comprehension that define the next level. Emerging pre-readers and expert readers represent different stages in the reading process, with emerging pre-readers being focused on print concepts and expert readers demonstrating advanced literacy skills. Therefore, the fluent, comprehending reader stage is the logical progression after the novice reader stage.