What does 'proximal text level' mean in guided reading?

• A. The level just above the student's independent level requiring some support
• B. The level that is easiest for the student
• C. The most difficult text in the grade
• D. Any text equally challenging

Answer: (A)

Proximal text level is the reading challenge that sits just above what a student can do independently, with some teacher support available. In guided reading, texts at this level stretch decoding and understanding, but are still doable when the teacher provides prompts, modeling, and scaffolded questions. This helps students practice strategies like predicting, summarizing, and questioning while receiving targeted guidance, and the support can be gradually faded as they become more proficient. It isn’t the easiest text—that would be the independent level the student could read with little or no help—nor the most difficult, which would require more intensive instruction. It’s specifically the slightly harder text chosen to promote growth through guided support.