What is the term for the state when a learner can respond fluently and instructional time is reduced?

The correct answer refers to the state often described in educational psychology and special education as "maintenance." In this context, maintenance occurs when a learner has achieved a level of fluency in a skill or knowledge area, which allows them to respond quickly and accurately without the need for prompting or excessive instructional support.

When a learner reaches this stage, instructional time can be significantly reduced, as they are able to demonstrate their understanding and apply what they have learned independently. This reflects not only the effectiveness of the teaching strategies used but also the learner’s ability to generalize their skills across different contexts or situations.

This concept is essential because it highlights the goal of many educational interventions: to foster independence in learners. In contrast, the other options describe different instructional strategies or concepts that do not directly pertain to the fluency and independence in responding to skills that characterize maintenance.