Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Foundations of Reading Practice Exam

What does scaffolding in education refer to?

1. Providing temporary guidance to assist learning

2. Creating permanent supports for reading skills

3. Offering peer support only

4. The process of testing student knowledge

The correct answer is: Providing temporary guidance to assist learning

Scaffolding in education refers to the process of providing temporary guidance and support to help students learn new concepts or skills. This approach allows educators to tailor assistance according to each learner's needs, facilitating gradual independence. When teachers scaffold learning, they initially provide a high level of support, which is adjusted as the student gains confidence and competence. This method is crucial because it helps students achieve success in challenging tasks by breaking down the learning process into manageable steps, allowing for a more personalized and effective educational experience. Other options do not accurately capture the essence of scaffolding. Permanent supports do not align with the temporary nature of scaffolding, as the goal is to eventually remove these supports as students become capable of completing tasks independently. Peer support is just one component of scaffolding and does not encompass the broader teaching strategies involved. Testing student knowledge differs fundamentally from scaffolding, as it focuses on assessment rather than providing supportive measures to enhance learning.