Here’s a puzzle: which of the following facts are true?
At the end of primary 7 (equivalent to English Year 6):
* 41 out of 236 (17.5 per cent) children were 1 to 2 years behind in word building; 81 out of 237 (34.1 per cent) were 1 to 2 years behind in spelling; 95 out of 228 (41.6 per cent) children were 1 to 2 years behind in reading comprehension; or
* At the end of P7 word reading was 3 years and 6 months ahead of chronological age.
Answer - both.
Both sets of figures are from the Clackmannanshire research into synthetic phonics which the Rose report has used to inform its recommendations, resulting in the new literacy guidelines.
Maureen Lynas
Action Words Reading Scheme
