Texas STR Certification Exam 2026/2027:
Science of Teaching Reading Study Guide,
Practice Questions & Answers
Culturally Responsive Instructional Practices - correct answer-This refers to
practices that recognize and incorporate the assets and strengths all students
bring to the classroom and ensure that learning experiences are relevant to all
students.
Assets-Based Teaching Approach - correct answer-This refers to viewing diversity
of thought, culture, and traits as a positive asset as students are valued for what
they bring to the classroom rather than being characterized by what they are
lacking.
Phonemes - correct answer-The specific units of sounds in a language that
distinguish one word from another (e.g., "b" and "t"
in "bat" and "tab")
Morphemes - correct answer-The smallest unit of meaning in a language (e.g.,
"ed" changes a word to past tense)
Decoding - correct answer-The ability to use letter-sound relationships to
correctly sound-out and pronounce written words.
,Discourse - correct answer-Written or spoken communication or debate (e.g., talk
and conversation)
Language Demands - correct answer-The tools (vocabulary, syntax, discourse)
students use to participate in the content they are learning
Deep Orthography - correct answer-This phrase refers to a spelling system that is
more difficult to decode because there is not a direct correlation between the
letters and sounds in the language.
Shallow Orthography - correct answer-This phrase refers to a spelling system that
is easier to decode because there is a direct correlation between. the letters and
sounds in the language.
Emergent Literacy - correct answer-The term used to explain a child's knowledge
of reading and writing skills before they learn to read and write (e.g., recognizing
a stop sign, cereal box).
Phonological Awareness - correct answer-the ability to hear and manipulate all
units of sound including words, syllables, onset, rimes, and phonemes in spoken
language.
Pragmatics - correct answer-The practical rules that guide our use of language in
social contexts
Morphology - correct answer-the study of the structure of words and how
meaningful units are combined in text (e.g., prefixes, suffixes, root words).
, Transitional Bilingual Education - correct answer-A program in which two
languages are used to provide content instruction. Over time, use of the native
language is decreased and use of English is increased until only English is used for
instruction.
Sheltered Instruction - correct answer-An approach to teaching English language
learners that integrates language and content instruction.
BICS (Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills) - correct answer-Development of
fluency in conversations - social language
CALP (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency) - correct answer-Development
of content and subject area language.
Comprehensible Input - correct answer-The part of a language that is understood
by listeners when learning a second language
Language Acquisition vs. Language Learning - correct answer-Acquiring language
through subconscious processes vs. learning a language through direct
instruction.
Receptive Language - correct answer-The ability to understand words and
language
Phonology - correct answer-The study of sounds, their patterns and meanings and
the way they combine to form words and language.
Science of Teaching Reading Study Guide,
Practice Questions & Answers
Culturally Responsive Instructional Practices - correct answer-This refers to
practices that recognize and incorporate the assets and strengths all students
bring to the classroom and ensure that learning experiences are relevant to all
students.
Assets-Based Teaching Approach - correct answer-This refers to viewing diversity
of thought, culture, and traits as a positive asset as students are valued for what
they bring to the classroom rather than being characterized by what they are
lacking.
Phonemes - correct answer-The specific units of sounds in a language that
distinguish one word from another (e.g., "b" and "t"
in "bat" and "tab")
Morphemes - correct answer-The smallest unit of meaning in a language (e.g.,
"ed" changes a word to past tense)
Decoding - correct answer-The ability to use letter-sound relationships to
correctly sound-out and pronounce written words.
,Discourse - correct answer-Written or spoken communication or debate (e.g., talk
and conversation)
Language Demands - correct answer-The tools (vocabulary, syntax, discourse)
students use to participate in the content they are learning
Deep Orthography - correct answer-This phrase refers to a spelling system that is
more difficult to decode because there is not a direct correlation between the
letters and sounds in the language.
Shallow Orthography - correct answer-This phrase refers to a spelling system that
is easier to decode because there is a direct correlation between. the letters and
sounds in the language.
Emergent Literacy - correct answer-The term used to explain a child's knowledge
of reading and writing skills before they learn to read and write (e.g., recognizing
a stop sign, cereal box).
Phonological Awareness - correct answer-the ability to hear and manipulate all
units of sound including words, syllables, onset, rimes, and phonemes in spoken
language.
Pragmatics - correct answer-The practical rules that guide our use of language in
social contexts
Morphology - correct answer-the study of the structure of words and how
meaningful units are combined in text (e.g., prefixes, suffixes, root words).
, Transitional Bilingual Education - correct answer-A program in which two
languages are used to provide content instruction. Over time, use of the native
language is decreased and use of English is increased until only English is used for
instruction.
Sheltered Instruction - correct answer-An approach to teaching English language
learners that integrates language and content instruction.
BICS (Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills) - correct answer-Development of
fluency in conversations - social language
CALP (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency) - correct answer-Development
of content and subject area language.
Comprehensible Input - correct answer-The part of a language that is understood
by listeners when learning a second language
Language Acquisition vs. Language Learning - correct answer-Acquiring language
through subconscious processes vs. learning a language through direct
instruction.
Receptive Language - correct answer-The ability to understand words and
language
Phonology - correct answer-The study of sounds, their patterns and meanings and
the way they combine to form words and language.
