Sep
26
Written by:
costcutters
26/09/2011 10:16
A controversial new reading test is ready to be rolled out next year, after a trial by the government in an East London school, found that it helped teachers to identify students who were behind in their reading skills. Not everyone thinks this is a good idea though…
The test is short and simple, simply requiring each child to step out of the classroom and go through a booklet of simple words and ‘non-words’ that look a bit like words, with the teacher. It takes less than 10 minutes and analyses just how well the child’s phonic skills have developed.
The idea is that if they have developed well enough, they should be able to sound out all the words, including the ones that aren’t real words, just by looking at the letters. If they can’t then there is an issue.
Who could oppose such a simple valuable test?
According to the government, one in five primary students is not reaching the appropriate level of reading skill by the time they leave. So the government is trying to get all primary schools to teach children to read quicker, with new school equipment and particularly using the phonetics system…as long as it’s done systematically, rigorously and early.
Teaching Unions
A spokesperson for the NASUWT, explained that while teachers generally agree that phonetics based systems are effective school resources for teaching children to read, they do not believe that it can be used as a way to test adequately. This is because children don’t just learn through phonetics; they use a range of other systems, which a phonetical reading test would not properly analyse.
UK Literacy Association
The UKLA has a problem with it too; because it is possible to pass a phonetics test and still not be able to read, as for example, some words can’t be deciphered with this technique. Also, slightly more alarmingly is the point they raised that there may be some pressure on teachers to ensure they get the students to pass the test. This may lead to them only teaching the students what they need to ensure they pass the test, which would mean that they would possibly miss out on learning some of the other essential techniques.
While these concerns may be valid, the tests are definitely going to come in to effect next summer. No matter what you think about them, perhaps when you hear something like the fact that, according to Schools Minister Nick Gibb, apparently one in ten 11 year old boys can’t read any better than some 7 year olds, you might see why the government is pushing ahead with this slightly controversial new test.
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