TEXES Science of Teaching Reading 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Students in the pre-reading stage are categorized as emergent learners. This classification reflects their developmental status in the process of learning to read. Emergent readers are typically at the beginning of their literacy journey, often exhibiting behaviors such as recognizing letters, understanding that print carries meaning, and showing interest in books and stories.

At this stage, students are building foundational skills that will support their future reading abilities. They may engage in activities such as listening to stories, exploring the visual aspects of text, and beginning to understand concepts of print and phonemic awareness. This foundational stage is crucial as it prepares them for more structured reading instruction that occurs at later stages.

While beginning, transitional, and advanced categories describe other levels of reading development, emergent learners specifically denote those who are still exploring the basics of literacy, making this classification the most accurate for students in the pre-reading phase.