Why is it important for students to set reading goals?

Setting reading goals is important because it helps students foster accountability and encourages personal investment in their reading progress. When students establish specific objectives for their reading, they take ownership of their learning journey, leading to greater engagement and motivation. Goals provide a clear direction and help students monitor their progress, which can enhance their self-esteem and confidence as readers. As they achieve their reading goals, they may feel a sense of accomplishment that motivates them to continue improving their skills, developing a lifelong love for reading.

The other options do not effectively support the importance of setting reading goals in a constructive way. For instance, ensuring students read the same text can restrict their individual exploration of interests, while limiting the range of texts they may choose from contradicts the idea of fostering a love for reading. Competing with peers might create pressure rather than encouraging personal growth, which can be detrimental to students’ intrinsic motivation to read for enjoyment or learning.