Literacy news
Government pledges slimmed down curriculum and reading tests for six-year-olds
26 May 2010
A major review of the curriculum will be launched this year setting out the subject content children will be expected to master at each stage of education.
The review forms part of the new Education and Children’s Bill announced as part of the coalition government’s legislative programme on Tuesday.
Government sources said that the “slimmer” curriculum would prescribe subject content but give schools more freedom to decide how to teach lessons.
The Bill will also introduce a new reading test for 600,000 six-year-olds in England every year – identifying those struggling the most. This follows research showing that children who fail to master reading at a young age fall much further behind by the end of secondary school.
Ofsted will also be cut back, with a new remit focusing on “core educational goals” such as raising achievement and closing the gap between rich and poor pupils.
Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove said, “Our aim will be to define the knowledge that each child should master at each stage in their development before they can move confidently onto the next stage of learning.
“We will give teachers, parents and students an appreciation of the core knowledge that is required in every year and make clear what knowledge children in other countries are mastering at the same stage.
“The curriculum review, however, will focus on what should be taught. We will not return to detailed prescriptions of how things are taught.”
However Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: “Schools don’t need a tougher Ofsted, and a more prescriptive but narrower curriculum.
“I urge the Government to initiate a fundamental review of the way in which schools are accountable to ensure that support follows any inspection, rather than punishment."
Read the full story from the Daily Telegraph
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