Glossary · Fluency and assessment
What is WCPM in reading?
Definition
WCPM, words correct per minute, is the number of words a student reads correctly in one minute of oral reading from a grade-level passage.
The student reads aloud for one minute while the teacher marks errors. WCPM is the total words read minus the errors. Self-corrections count as correct; skipped words, wrong words and words supplied by the teacher after a three-second pause count as errors.
It is the standard fluency measure in schools because it is quick, repeatable and tracks reading growth well through about third grade. Published norms give percentiles by grade and season, so a score can be compared with other students at the same point in the year.
WCPM isn't the whole picture. Always look at accuracy alongside it. A WCPM of 60 at 98 percent accuracy is a different student from 60 at 85 percent.
In a lesson
Say a student gets through 84 words in their minute with 6 errors. WCPM is 84 minus 6, which is 78. Accuracy is 78 divided by 84, about 93 percent.
Why does this matter for the record?
Graph WCPM over time with the same kind of passage. The slope tells you more than any single score.
Rate each skill as you teach it
Needs support, Developing, Secure. The rating schedules the review and builds the report.