Final answer:
The statement is true because at-risk students, including those with learning disabilities like dyslexia or dysgraphia, often require explicit instruction to develop reading fluency due to their unique challenges with language processing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'As with PA (phonological awareness) and the alphabetic principle, gains in reading fluency for students who are 'at-risk' are not likely to occur naturally' is True. Research and observations indicate that at-risk students typically require deliberate and systematic instruction to develop reading fluency. Students with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia or dysgraphia, might struggle with sound-letter correspondence or processing written language, making natural gains in reading fluency less likely without appropriate interventions.
Statistics demonstrate that many children are unable to read even a single word of a text after two years of school, underscoring a wider global learning crisis. Without targeted support and academic accommodations, these children may continue to struggle, indicating that reading fluency must be explicitly taught, particularly for at-risk students or those with specific learning difficulties.