Which of the following strategies helps improve comprehension for students with specific needs?

Addressing vocabulary and background knowledge is crucial for improving comprehension, especially for students with specific needs. Comprehension involves not only the ability to read the words on the page but also the understanding of what those words mean within a context. Students who struggle with comprehension often have gaps in their vocabulary or lack the necessary background knowledge to make sense of the text they are reading.

When educators focus on enhancing vocabulary, they provide students with the tools they need to understand the meanings of words in context, which directly impacts their ability to grasp the overall meaning of the material. Similarly, when background knowledge is activated or built, it equips students with the context they need to make connections and fully engage with the text.

In contrast, using phonics programs only may strengthen decoding skills but does not necessarily address comprehension. Focusing solely on decoding can result in students being able to pronounce words without understanding their meanings. Repetitive reading exercises might help with fluency but do not inherently address vocabulary development or enhance background knowledge, which are vital for true comprehension. Therefore, the strategy of addressing vocabulary and background knowledge is particularly effective in improving comprehension for students with specific learning needs.