The Research Behind Reader's Theater: Does It Help Secondary Students Become Better Readers?
While researchers have explored the benefits of Reader’s Theater with elementary students, its potential for improving reading fluency in secondary students is only beginning to receive more attention.
A 2026 study followed 85 high school students who regularly participated in unrehearsed, in-seat scripted-story reading. By the end of the school year, students had made significant improvements in reading fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension, with the greatest gains in fluency. Students who actively participated by taking reading roles also tended to make greater gains in fluency than those who participated less.
Overall, the findings suggest that giving secondary students meaningful opportunities to read aloud and actively participate in scripted stories can be a promising way to develop fluency while supporting broader reading growth.
Read the article for yourself: "Active Participation Matters for Fluency Development" https://doi.org/10.1080/19388071.2026.2720463
Source: Hamby, Z., & Young, C. (2026). Active Participation Matters for Fluency Development: Examining Performance-Based Reading of Adapted Texts in Secondary Literacy. Literacy Research and Instruction, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/19388071.2026.2720463