By Emma Gill
Copyright manchestereveningnews
Compulsory reading tests for 13 year olds are set to be introduced by the government. Pupils will sit the test at the end of Year 8, reports The Times, with the results shared with the government and Ofsted. Part of the upcoming Schools White Paper, the Department for Education (DfE) says students who struggle to read often struggle across the board, with it inevitably having an impact on exam results. It comes as the most recent survey by the National Literacy Trust found pupils’ enjoyment of reading has fallen to its lowest level in two decades. But one teaching union is already warning that students ‘categorically do not need’ another national test to assess progress, saying that schools already assess Year 8 pupils to check for learning gaps. For the best ideas on days out, shopping and parenting issues, get the Manchester Family newsletter here The reading test results would not be published in league tables but may potentially be shared with parents. Unions have also warned the new test must not end up becoming another way schools are measured. “Any caveats suggesting the results will only be published nationally are effectively meaningless,” said Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the NEU. “There’s nothing to stop future governments publishing them school-by-school, allowing Ofsted to use them or encouraging leaders to focus on them; all of which would lead to the same consequences we see wherever national test data exists – punitive labelling of schools, narrowing curriculum and increased stress and workload for staff and students.” He added that schools ‘categorically do not need another national test to identify which students need more support or intervention’. Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the union can see how the introduction of a compulsory test may help to support schools having a consistent approach to reading progress. “However, it is important that this does not end up becoming another accountability measure – either through the publication of results or as part of Ofsted inspections,” he added. “Even if there are assurances from this government, school leaders may well be uneasy about what future governments might do with these tests once they’re established. They’ve been bitten too many times.” Join our Family WhatsApp group HERE Pupils currently sit their Sats at the end of Year 6, which contain a reading paper, and have a phonics screening check in Year 1. There are currently no standardised tests in Year 8. A Department for Education (DfE) spokesperson said: “Reading holds the key to the rest of the curriculum, with pupils who struggle to read so often struggling across the board – particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. “Our forthcoming White Paper will set out an ambitious vision to make sure every young person, wherever they grow up, has the opportunity to succeed.” The Government’s Schools White Paper is expected to be published later this year, as well as the final report from the curriculum review. The DfE said it has committed almost £30 million to help improve reading and writing. What do you think about plans for the reading test? Let us know your views in the comments here .
