Aus: 'Why SA Schools Must Invest in Decodable Readers in 2018'

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Debbie_Hepplewhite
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Aus: 'Why SA Schools Must Invest in Decodable Readers in 2018'

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Momentum is gathering regarding the promotion of evidence-informed systematic synthetic phonics teaching, the need for a universal phonics check, and for using cumulative, decodable reading books to complement the schools' phonics provision. Dyslexia Action SA writes about the need for decodable reading material, supported with evidence, here:

http://www.dyslexiasa.org.au/current-is ... p0.twitter
Why SA Schools Must Invest in Decodable Readers in 2018

Dyslexia SA would like to thank Education Minister, Susan Close for supporting the implementation of a phonics check at the end of year one. Likewise, Shadow Education Minister, John Gardner for developing the Literacy Guarantee Policy. It certainly is a step in the right direction in closing the research to practice gap in the acquisition of reading for all South Australian children.

However, to have a truly effective and evidence based literacy practice in systematic, synthetic phonics we need the right resources in our schools. The most effective resource which allows developing readers to practice their decoding skills is decodable readers (also referred to as phonics books).

Currently South Australian schools invest huge amounts of money in buying PM readers, like Fountas and Pinnell (most parents know these as the levelled ‘take home’ readers). Our strong view is that PM readers are an inadequate reading resource based on the discredited ‘whole language’ system of reading which relies heavily on looking at pictures, saying the first sound and making a guess on what word fits best and not sequential decoding skills required for the teaching of phonics. Schools invest in these pointless resources largely due to the mandated Running Records method of assessing reading progress. Our view on why Running Records should be abolished can be found here. Both the investment in decodable readers and abolishing Running Records goes hand in hand.
Do read the whole piece!
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Debbie_Hepplewhite
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Re: Aus: 'Why SA Schools Must Invest in Decodable Readers in 2018'

Post by Debbie_Hepplewhite »

Dyslexia Action SA discusses the issue of 'Running Records' here:

http://www.iferi.org/iferi_forum/viewto ... ?f=2&t=740
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Debbie_Hepplewhite
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Re: Aus: 'Why SA Schools Must Invest in Decodable Readers in 2018'

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Here is IFERI's printable leaflet on the need for decodable readers for beginners:

http://www.iferi.org/wp-content/uploads ... oned-1.pdf
Why Book Bands and Levelled Reading Books Should Be Abandoned
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Debbie_Hepplewhite
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Re: Aus: 'Why SA Schools Must Invest in Decodable Readers in 2018'

Post by Debbie_Hepplewhite »

The UK Reading Reform Foundation also provides information, with references, regarding an alternative to Book Bands or 'levelled readers' which includes a printable leaflet:

http://rrf.org.uk/2017/03/28/an-alterna ... r-readers/
An Alternative to Book Bands for Beginner Readers
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Debbie_Hepplewhite
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Re: Aus: 'Why SA Schools Must Invest in Decodable Readers in 2018'

Post by Debbie_Hepplewhite »

I'm linking this thread to another IFERI thread which discusses the consequence of mixing a systematic synthetic phonics programme (a highly reputable programme at that) with a teaching approach that persists with multi-cueing word-guessing strategies. This is a poisonous concoction for at least some children - you can read about this here:

http://www.iferi.org/iferi_forum/viewto ... ?f=2&t=613
BBC documentary 'B is for Book'. Why is this worrying?
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