"We are concerned that a year 1 phonics test could become a high-stakes NAPLAN-style test for six-year-olds, and we don’t need to subject children to more stress from even younger ages," a NSW P&C spokesman said.
Responses to the point above via Twitter:
The Phonics Check is nothing like NAPLAN and is not a standardised test. If the NSWTF can’t tell the difference, it’s a poor reflection on their understanding of reading assessment.
All this talk of stressing out kids seems so misplaced. Surely it’s much more stressful to not learn to read effectively?
It’s just ridiculous. The phonics check takes a few minutes per child. I have NOT seen 1 child stressed out by this. Way more stressful to do a running record and way more time consuming
I wonder whether those lamenting the “high-stakes” phonics checks for Year 1s, kids have spoken to any teachers in SA? Or read the detailed report from the SA trial?
This “test” is a one-on-one sit down with the teacher to check a student’s ability to decode 40 short words and sound combos. School results are not publicly reported, or ranked, but rather used to inform whether their teaching methods are effective. It should not be “stressful”.
Absolutely. As a teacher, I regularly use assessment for learning in my practice. It helps me to determine the next steps for my students in their learning and my teaching. I struggle with the fuss that some are trying to complicate the check with.
Those lamenting “high-stakes” need to think about the students. The stakes are impossibly high for those students who don’t learn to read. (poorer health & employment outcomes, higher chance of incarceration & more). #DontLeaveReadingToChance #phonicscheck
This is SO disappointing!! Many teachers, educators & academics support the introduction of the Phonics Check because it will identify students with reading difficulties early, so they may receive evidence-based reading instruction
What an absurd criticism. It's nothing like NAPLAN: results won't be public, and only a very quick check involving the teacher with individual students. Also, the positive South Australian experience clearly proves the naysayers are wrong.