What does a long dash over a word indicate in reading assessment?

In reading assessment, a long dash over a word indicates that the word was deleted. This notation serves as a visual cue for educators to understand that during the assessment, the student did not produce that particular word while reading. This can help in assessing a student's reading fluency, accuracy, and comprehension. By identifying deleted words, educators can further analyze the student’s reading behaviors and strategies while diagnosing any potential issues with confidence in word recognition or fluency. This understanding contributes to tailoring instructional strategies to better support the individual needs of the student.