The rubric provides criteria for evaluating fluency when reading aloud across 5 areas: volume, expression, phrasing, smoothness, and pace. Readers can score from 1-4 in each area, with higher scores meaning the reading displays appropriate volume, expression matching the text, smooth phrasing, lack of unnecessary pauses, and a consistent medium pace.

1. Fluency Rubric
4 3 2 1
Volume varies Volume is A little too Can’t hear the
as text appropriate soft/loud. reading, or it’s
Volume changes. and consistent way too loud.
for the text
that is being
read.
Reads with Sounds like Begins to Reads in a
enthusiasm; natural change tone monotone
the tone and conversational and stress voice; tone does
Expression stressed talking; the syllables. not change
syllables make tone and throughout.
the passage stressed
sound better. syllables match
the sentence
Reads in structure.
different voices
when
appropriate.
Pauses for Pauses for Sometimes Reads without
different periods, pauses for thought of
lengths at commas and periods, punctuation;
different other commas and often reads
punctuation punctuation other word-by-word.
Phrasing marks in varied marks; reads punctuation
situations; with smooth marks; reads
reads with pauses for two and
smooth pauses breath. three word
for breath. phrases.
Reads smooth Reads smoothly Experiences Makes frequent
without pauses with some some rough extended
that it sounds pauses or spots in the pauses,
Smoothness like he/she is mistakes but text with hesitations,
just speaking. self corrects extended repetitions, or
quickly. pauses or sound outs.
hesitations.
Reads at a pace Reads at a Reads Reads so slow
that sounds consistent somewhat or so fast that
Pace like he/she is medium pace; slow or a it is hard to
having a not too slow little too understand.
natural and not too fast.
conversation. fast.