How does the practice stage of learning differ from the acquisition stage?

The practice stage of learning is particularly focused on developing fluency with a target skill. During this stage, learners engage in repeated practice to enhance their proficiency and automaticity in performing the skill. This phase allows learners to refine their techniques, make adjustments based on feedback, and increase their confidence in executing the skill consistently.

Fluency is crucial as it enables learners to perform skills with greater ease, which is essential in special education contexts where students might need to apply skills in various situations. This stage helps bridge the gap between initial learning and proficient execution, allowing for a smoother transition to more complex applications of the skill in real-world scenarios. Through practice, students can develop both the speed and accuracy necessary to utilize the skill effectively.

The other options highlight aspects that do not accurately describe the core differences between the stages. For instance, while accuracy is essential, the emphasis during the practice stage is more about fluency rather than solely focusing on accuracy. Similarly, the acquisition stage is typically associated with initial learning rather than fluency, and it is not necessarily the final stage in the learning process, as further refinement and mastery occur during practice.