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Reading check for six-year-olds rolled out | Reading check for six-year-olds rolled out |
(about 6 hours later) | |
By Angela Harrison Education correspondent, BBC News | By Angela Harrison Education correspondent, BBC News |
Six-year-olds in England will face a new reading test next summer, after trials this year. | Six-year-olds in England will face a new reading test next summer, after trials this year. |
They will be tested on how they read using phonics, where children learn the sound of letters and groups of letters. | |
The government says nearly half of the teachers who took part in the trial said it had helped them identify children with reading problems. | The government says nearly half of the teachers who took part in the trial said it had helped them identify children with reading problems. |
But teachers' unions and the UK Literacy Association have been critical of the test. | |
A total of 300 schools took part in trials this summer. | A total of 300 schools took part in trials this summer. |
'Quick check' | 'Quick check' |
At Elmhurst Primary School in east London, 120 pupils in Year 1 were checked. | At Elmhurst Primary School in east London, 120 pupils in Year 1 were checked. |
Head teacher Shahed Ahmed described what happened. | Head teacher Shahed Ahmed described what happened. |
He said children came out of their class one by one to look at a booklet of 20 simple words and 20 "pseudo" (made-up) words with their teacher. | He said children came out of their class one by one to look at a booklet of 20 simple words and 20 "pseudo" (made-up) words with their teacher. |
"There were four to six words on each page and it took about five to seven minutes per child," he said. | "There were four to six words on each page and it took about five to seven minutes per child," he said. |
"It's a quick check of children's phonic knowledge, not a reading test. | "It's a quick check of children's phonic knowledge, not a reading test. |
"We want to know that they can read the sounds of letters and blend them together." | "We want to know that they can read the sounds of letters and blend them together." |
The "non-words" used include "vap" and "vog". They are there, the government says, to check whether children can use their knowledge of phonics to de-code or work out words. | The "non-words" used include "vap" and "vog". They are there, the government says, to check whether children can use their knowledge of phonics to de-code or work out words. |
The check is being introduced as part of the Westminster government's drive to get all primary schools to teach children to read quickly using phonics systematically. | The check is being introduced as part of the Westminster government's drive to get all primary schools to teach children to read quickly using phonics systematically. |
All schools in England probably use phonics to teach children to read but ministers say that to be effective, the system must be used systematically, rigorously and early. | All schools in England probably use phonics to teach children to read but ministers say that to be effective, the system must be used systematically, rigorously and early. |
One in five pupils does not reach the level of English expected of them when they leave primary school. | One in five pupils does not reach the level of English expected of them when they leave primary school. |
Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: "There is no doubt we need to raise standards of reading. Only last month we learnt that one in 10 boys aged 11 can read no better than a seven-year-old. | Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: "There is no doubt we need to raise standards of reading. Only last month we learnt that one in 10 boys aged 11 can read no better than a seven-year-old. |
"The new check is based on a method that is internationally proven to get results, and the evidence from the pilot is clear - thousands of six-year-olds, who would otherwise slip through the net, will get the extra reading help they need to become good readers, to flourish at secondary school and to enjoy a lifetime's love of reading. | "The new check is based on a method that is internationally proven to get results, and the evidence from the pilot is clear - thousands of six-year-olds, who would otherwise slip through the net, will get the extra reading help they need to become good readers, to flourish at secondary school and to enjoy a lifetime's love of reading. |
"This study finds that the check will be of real benefit to pupils but takes just a few minutes to carry out, is backed by most teachers and is liked by most children." | "This study finds that the check will be of real benefit to pupils but takes just a few minutes to carry out, is backed by most teachers and is liked by most children." |
Campaign | Campaign |
Teaching unions agree phonics is a good way of teaching children to read but say it is one of a range of techniques used by teachers, who should be trusted to vary their methods depending on their pupils. | Teaching unions agree phonics is a good way of teaching children to read but say it is one of a range of techniques used by teachers, who should be trusted to vary their methods depending on their pupils. |
Chris Keates, the general secretary of the NASUWT said: "NASUWT research, among thousands of teachers, has shown that the clear majority disagree with the introduction of a compulsory phonics reading test for six year olds. | Chris Keates, the general secretary of the NASUWT said: "NASUWT research, among thousands of teachers, has shown that the clear majority disagree with the introduction of a compulsory phonics reading test for six year olds. |
"Teachers oppose the test because it will not provide robust information about a child's reading ability. | "Teachers oppose the test because it will not provide robust information about a child's reading ability. |
"It is possible to pass a phonics reading test and still not be able to read." | "It is possible to pass a phonics reading test and still not be able to read." |
The UK Literacy Agency (UKLA) is campaigning against the check. | The UK Literacy Agency (UKLA) is campaigning against the check. |
It says phonics is the most effective way of reading many words, but cannot be used to read all words, for example "come" and "once", which require other techniques. | It says phonics is the most effective way of reading many words, but cannot be used to read all words, for example "come" and "once", which require other techniques. |
Greg Brooks, a former president of UKLA and Emeritus Professor at Sheffield University, says the check will inevitably become "high-stakes", leading to teachers "teaching to the test" and causing anxiety for parents and children. | Greg Brooks, a former president of UKLA and Emeritus Professor at Sheffield University, says the check will inevitably become "high-stakes", leading to teachers "teaching to the test" and causing anxiety for parents and children. |