Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

What was the main focus of reading education in early America?

1. Reading comprehension

2. Memorization

3. Fluency

4. Critical analysis

The correct answer is: Reading comprehension

The main focus of reading education in early America centered on reading comprehension. In the context of early education, reading was not just about the mechanical ability to decode text; it emphasized the understanding of the content being read. Educators aimed to ensure that students could grasp the meaning and context of the material, which often included religious texts and moral literature. This focus on comprehension laid a foundation for critical thinking and interpretation skills, which were deemed essential for students to understand the broader themes and lessons embedded in their readings. While memorization and fluency were certainly components of early reading instruction, they served primarily as tools to facilitate comprehension rather than as ends in themselves. Critical analysis, although valuable, was not the primary concern during the earlier periods of reading education when foundational understanding was the main goal.