What does "reading engagement" refer to?

Reading engagement refers to the level of interest and motivation a student has toward reading tasks. When students are engaged in reading, they demonstrate a desire to read, are willing to explore texts, and show enthusiasm for discussing and sharing what they have read. Engagement is a critical factor in developing a lifelong love for reading, as it influences how often students choose to read outside of school assignments and how deeply they immerse themselves in texts.

This concept encompasses various elements, including intrinsic motivation, a sense of belonging to a reading community, and the ability to connect personally with reading materials. While aspects like reading fluency and reading skills are important, they do not fully encapsulate the essence of reading engagement, which is fundamentally tied to emotional and motivational factors.