What aspect of structured literacy does fluency directly relate to?

Fluency in structured literacy is primarily about the ability to read smoothly and with understanding. This involves the reader's capability to read words accurately, at a reasonable speed, and with appropriate expression and comprehension. When students achieve fluency, they are able to focus on the meaning of the text instead of struggling to decode individual words. This understanding of fluency is essential because it connects the mechanics of reading—such as decoding and word recognition—with the overall goal of comprehension, making it a vital element in structured literacy.

Other options, while important components of literacy, do not directly capture the essence of fluency. Vocabulary acquisition relates to the understanding and use of words; phonemic awareness focuses on the ability to hear and manipulate the sounds in spoken language; and spelling techniques pertain to the methods used to learn how to write words. These aspects contribute to literacy development but do not specifically address the task of reading fluently with smoothness and comprehension.