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Ofsted: Literacy progress has stalled, chief inspector says Ofsted: Literacy progress has stalled, chief inspector says
(about 1 hour later)
England is being overtaken by other leading nations because progress on literacy has stalled, says chief schools inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw.England is being overtaken by other leading nations because progress on literacy has stalled, says chief schools inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw.
In a speech on Thursday, he will say improvements have been made and in many schools pupils make good progress - but that standards in English are not high enough.In a speech on Thursday, he will say improvements have been made and in many schools pupils make good progress - but that standards in English are not high enough.
Sir Michael suggests the targets for 11-year-olds should be raised.Sir Michael suggests the targets for 11-year-olds should be raised.
Teaching unions say big improvements have been made in the past two decades.Teaching unions say big improvements have been made in the past two decades.
They have accused Ofsted and the government of "playing fast and loose with international data".They have accused Ofsted and the government of "playing fast and loose with international data".
Sir Michael says one in five children does not reach the level expected at the end of primary school - and that even those who do have no guarantee of going on to get a good GCSE pass in English.Sir Michael says one in five children does not reach the level expected at the end of primary school - and that even those who do have no guarantee of going on to get a good GCSE pass in English.
He points out that nearly half (45%) of those who achieved the expected standard (Level 4) did not get at least a grade C in GCSE English.He points out that nearly half (45%) of those who achieved the expected standard (Level 4) did not get at least a grade C in GCSE English.
'Others doing better''Others doing better'
Sir Michael, who took over the chief inspector's role in January, says there has been no overall improvement in primary pupils' learning since 2008.Sir Michael, who took over the chief inspector's role in January, says there has been no overall improvement in primary pupils' learning since 2008.
In a speech in London, he will say: "There can be no more important subject than English. It is at the heart of our culture and literacy skills are crucial to pupils' learning for all subjects. Yet too many pupils fall behind in their literacy early on.In a speech in London, he will say: "There can be no more important subject than English. It is at the heart of our culture and literacy skills are crucial to pupils' learning for all subjects. Yet too many pupils fall behind in their literacy early on.
"In most cases, if they can't read securely at seven they struggle to catch up as they progress through their school careers. As a result, too many young adults lack the functional skills to make their way in the modern world. We are no longer a leading country in terms of our literacy performance: others are doing better.""In most cases, if they can't read securely at seven they struggle to catch up as they progress through their school careers. As a result, too many young adults lack the functional skills to make their way in the modern world. We are no longer a leading country in terms of our literacy performance: others are doing better."
The proportion of children achieving at least Level 4 in English has risen since 1995, when 49% made the grade.The proportion of children achieving at least Level 4 in English has risen since 1995, when 49% made the grade.
Last year, 82% did so, up from 80% the previous year, which was the same as in 2007.Last year, 82% did so, up from 80% the previous year, which was the same as in 2007.
Power over education is devolved around the UK and there is a drive to improve literacy in Wales also.Power over education is devolved around the UK and there is a drive to improve literacy in Wales also.
The education inspection body Estyn's latest annual report said 40% of pupils could not read as well as they should be able to when they arrived at secondary schoolThe education inspection body Estyn's latest annual report said 40% of pupils could not read as well as they should be able to when they arrived at secondary school
The Welsh government has brought in a new five-year national literacy programme and compulsory reading tests are being introduced for five- to 14-year-olds for the first time in May 2013.The Welsh government has brought in a new five-year national literacy programme and compulsory reading tests are being introduced for five- to 14-year-olds for the first time in May 2013.
In England, Sir Michael is to set out a 10-point plan to raise national standards in literacy on Thursday.In England, Sir Michael is to set out a 10-point plan to raise national standards in literacy on Thursday.
Among the recommendations is that the government considers raising the literacy target for 11-year-olds.Among the recommendations is that the government considers raising the literacy target for 11-year-olds.
Reading ageReading age
He questions whether the present target does enough to prepare children properly for secondary school.He questions whether the present target does enough to prepare children properly for secondary school.
He also says parents should be told their child's reading age as well as how they are doing against national targets.He also says parents should be told their child's reading age as well as how they are doing against national targets.
Ofsted, he says, will focus "more sharply" on literacy in its inspections, and on phonics training for new teachers.Ofsted, he says, will focus "more sharply" on literacy in its inspections, and on phonics training for new teachers.
The government believes a stronger emphasis on phonics will improve literacy levels.The government believes a stronger emphasis on phonics will improve literacy levels.
This is a method of teaching children to read by teaching them the sounds of letters and groups of letters.This is a method of teaching children to read by teaching them the sounds of letters and groups of letters.
From May, five- and six-year-olds will be given a "phonics check", which the government says will help identify children who need extra help.From May, five- and six-year-olds will be given a "phonics check", which the government says will help identify children who need extra help.
Chris Keates, the general Secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, said "the critical importance of pupils' educational achievement" was "beyond dispute".Chris Keates, the general Secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, said "the critical importance of pupils' educational achievement" was "beyond dispute".
But she said the proportion of children achieving the expected level at age 11 and at GCSE level had risen since the mid-1990s.But she said the proportion of children achieving the expected level at age 11 and at GCSE level had risen since the mid-1990s.
"Ofsted is right to monitor provision in this vital subject," she said."Ofsted is right to monitor provision in this vital subject," she said.
"However, it is essential that it does so on an evidence basis, rather than picking and choosing information that seems to support a predetermined view.""However, it is essential that it does so on an evidence basis, rather than picking and choosing information that seems to support a predetermined view."
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