Literacy news

Phonics: children to identify 'non-words' in new reading test

25 Mar 2011

All children will sit a reading test at the age of six, it was announced today, despite huge opposition from teachers. The trial of a new-style phonics test is designed to identify pupils lagging behind after a year of compulsory education. Children in English state schools will be asked to read a list of 40 words as part of an informal assessment administered by teachers. The test will include a number of made-up words such as “koob” or “zort” in a move designed to ensure pupils can decode unfamiliar words using phonics – the system that breaks down words into individual sounds.

Unions have criticised the tests, insisting the focus on phonics will straightjacket teachers and prevent them employing different methods to improve reading standards.

But ministers insisted they would press on with the assessments after a small-scale trial in 16 primary schools. A larger pilot project will be introduced in 300 schools this summer before a national roll-out in 2012.

Nick Gibb, the Schools Minister, said:

“Learning to read is a fundamental part of a child’s education. The new check will ensure that children who need extra help are given the support they need to enable them to enjoy a lifetime’s love of reading. Almost all pupils and teachers in the pre-trialling thought the test materials were appropriate.

The 270 pupils involved did not find the non-words confusing, and so the phonics check will contain some non-words. They are already used in many schools and are the fairest way to assess phonic decoding.

“Non-words show which children have the knowledge to read any new word, rather than pupils who have already developed a wide vocabulary or a good sight memory.”

Read more on the Daily Telegraph 

Tags: Children, National Young Readers' Programme, Phonics, Reading Champions, Reading The Game, Schools & teaching, Talk for Writing, Young Readers Programme

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