Year 1 phonics screening check consultation

"The Government is committed to raising children's achievement in reading, and has expressed the intention to establish a phonics screening check for children in Year 1. This will be a short, light-touch screening check designed to confirm that children have grasped the basics of phonic decoding and to identify those pupils who need extra help at an early stage, so that schools can provide support. The results of the screening check will provide valuable information to parents. The screening check will be part of the arrangements for the statutory assessment of children in respect of the first Key Stage. This consultation seeks views on proposals around the purpose, structure and administration of the screening check" -- front cover

Phonics: assessment and tracking guidance

"Systematic daily phonics teaching is a key element of the CLLD [Communication, Language and Literacy Development] approach to the teaching of early literacy. These guidance materials will support teachers and practitioners in making judgements about children's progress through phonic phases. Guidance and suggested possible links between Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) scale points and Assessing Pupils' Progress (APP) guidelines are also given." - National Strategies website

Open dialogue peer review: a response to Morag Stuart

Morag Stuart is right that how best to teach reading has been debated for years and we need clarity about what reading involves and how this develops in beginning readers. I also like her emphasis on teaching and on the importance of teaching phonics early and in a systematic way. The history of 'reading wars' has been unhelpful for researchers, policy-makers, teachers and, most importantly, children. We need to ensure that the debates this time around are more complex and measured. This means that, first, it is important to recognise the socio-cultural basis of literacy. Second, I prefer not to talk in terms of convincing anyone of the 'sense' of one view, but in terms of exploring how different views shed light on the actual task to be achieved - children who can, and do, read

Year 1 phonics screening check : framework for the pilot in 2011

"For the development of the year 1 phonics screening check" -- front cover