What describes the connection between reading fluency and comprehension according to the automaticity theory?

The connection between reading fluency and comprehension is grounded in the automaticity theory, which posits that as readers become more fluent, their cognitive resources can shift from decoding words to comprehending meaning. This means that reading becomes more automatic, allowing the reader to focus on understanding the text rather than expending energy on word recognition.

Fluency encompasses not just the speed of reading but also the ability to read with accuracy and expression. When students achieve higher levels of fluency, they are able to process text more smoothly, enabling them to grasp the overall message and nuances of the material they are reading. As a result, increased fluency correlates highly with enhanced reading comprehension, making fluency a critical skill for improving overall understanding of texts.

The other options do not accurately capture the relationship as understood in the context of automaticity theory, as they either incorrectly assert that fluency has no role in comprehension or suggest a decrease in comprehension with increased fluency, which runs counter to the established understanding of how fluent reading supports effective comprehension.