In commenting on the high standing of pupils in England in our recent international survey, Professor Sig Prais suggests that the scores are an over-estimate (TES, April 11). He asserts that the sample was made up of schools which “are unlikely to be ones with pupils who are having trouble learning to read.”
In fact the sampling requirements for international studies are very high and require independent external verification. There is simply no evidence this was a biased sample. It was representative of all schools in England in terms of national curriculum test results.
Moreover this research, for the first time in such a study, collected the national test results for the pupils in the sample. The proportions at level 4 and 5 are both within 1 per cent of the published figures for reading. This data is presented in its entirety in the PIRLS report which can be obtained from the National Foundation for Education Research or is downloadable from www.nfer.ac.uk Chris Whetton
Assistant director
National Foundation for Educational Research