What does "substitution" indicate during a running record?

Substitution during a running record indicates that a word is replaced by another word during the reading process. This can provide insight into a student's reading behavior and strategies. For instance, if a student substitutes a different word while reading, it often suggests that they are trying to make sense of the text based on context, familiar words, or phonetic cues. This behavior can signal the reader's ability to decode and understand language, but also areas where they may need further support in accurately recognizing and processing text.

Additionally, this form of reading behavior can help educators assess comprehension levels and whether a student is experiencing difficulty with specific vocabulary or word patterns. Understanding instances of substitution can guide instructional decisions tailored to improve a child's reading proficiency.