Two thirds of children fail new phonics reading test

The test-run of the new primary school reading check (due to be introduced in June 2012 for Year 1 pupils in England) suggests that two-thirds of pupils are likely to fail it when it is introduced.

So what does this tell us when we consider the large number of children who continue to need extra support with their reading and end up leaving school without the literacy skills they need on entering the world of work?

The simple truth is that, despite the big government push for all schools to teach phonics, only a minority (about 27% according to the DfE) appear to be teaching it systematically. The majority of schools, although using phonics, continue to use it as part of a mix of methods alongside picture clues and memorising spellings.

Until this changes, and teachers put faith in teaching phonics first and fast, without confusing children by mixing it in with distractions, reading standards will not be improved.

More information can be found on the DfE website here