Final answer:
The correlation between phonemic awareness and reading development best supported by research is that students' reading skills advance as they develop greater phonemic awareness. Phonemic awareness is essential for reading proficiency and decoding skills, and early interventions can help improve reading outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement best supported by research regarding the correlation between phonemic awareness and reading development is: Students' reading skills advance as students develop greater phonemic awareness. Phonemic awareness refers to the understanding and ability to manipulate phonemes, the smallest units of sound that can make a difference in meaning. Studies have shown that a strong foundation in phonemic awareness during early education is crucial for developing proficiency in reading and decoding skills.Moreover, while weak phonemic awareness does have an impact on reading skills, it is not the sole contributor to poor reading skills in the later grades. Several factors can influence reading development, such as exposure to reading materials, quality of instruction, socioeconomic status, and language spoken at home. However, phonemic awareness is a foundational skill that can help close the achievement gap, especially when interventions are implemented early, as seen in the studies with preschoolers from diverse economic backgrounds.