I recently completed a pilot research project testing the hypothesis that a course designed to boost sight vocabulary resolves literacy difficulties. The results which are listed below confirmed my belief that it is sheer folly to persist with a 'phonics' strategy which has already fails about 100,000 children every year and which massse of Key Stage data shows, will continue to fail them.
All of the schools involved in the pilot research in 2011 have chosen to continue with the strategy and will not only repeat but, since the impact is cumulative, greatly improve on their remarkable results in 2012. A further, larger project is currently in progress.
A parallel study will begin in January to determine if the same strategy would prevent literacy difficulty arising rather than wait until it is established and then try to 'remedy' it.
These are the schools which participated in the pilot study.
St Mary's RC Primary School London St, Fleetwood FY7 6EU
Results predicted Sept 2010 L2/3 =48%: L4= 40%: L5= 12%: Passes 52%
Actual Results July 2011 L2/3=6% : L4= 52%: L5= 42%: Passes 94%
Only two children with specific learning difficulties, predicted to achieve Level 2, failed to achieve Level 4.
Greenvale Primary School, Selsdon Vale, Sth Croydon CR2 8PR
Results predicted Sept 2011 L2/3=13%: L4= 47%: L5= 37%: Pass 84%
Actual results in July 2011 L3=6% : L4= 47%: L5= 47%: Pass 94%
The two children who failed to get a Level 4 has an IEP and their results
were much better than expected.
Westfield C.P. School, Ounsdale Rd, Wombourne WV5 8BH
Results predicted Sept 2010 L2/317%: L4= 47%:L5= 37%: Predicted Pass 84%
Actual pass 98%.
Wroughton Junior School, Burg Rd, Gorleston, Gt Yarmouth NR31 8BD
Teacher: Fiona Uebergang
Results predicted Sept 2010 L2/3= 25%: L4= 50%: L5= 25%: Predicted Pass 75%
Actual results July 2011 L2/3= 0%: L4= 63%: L5= 37%: Actual Pass 100%
Only one of two classes in this school took part and in
this class only, every child predicted to achieve Level 3 in fact achieved
Level 4 English. In the non-participating class, the predicted and actual
outcomes were virtually unchanged..
5 St Teresa's RC Primary School, St Teresa's Road, Manchester. M16 0GQ
I used the Hot Reading approach only with eight Level three pupils. 6 out of
the 8 achieved Level 4 English. The othertwo have specific learning difficulties. A success for your scheme I think.
Patrick Tynan
Head of Key Stage 2.
6. Bunbury Aldersey CE Primary School, School Lane, Bunbury, Tarporley CW6
9NR
Alyson Thacker, Head teacher at this school used the approach experimentally
with just one child. The child was a Level 1 at Ks 1 but in fact achieved
Level 4b in Reading and Level 4 in Writing.
The one weakness of the approach used is that is designed to remedy a problem which would not have existed if teachers were provided with the means to respond to the needs of these children as soon as these needs were identified in Year 2. As teachers, we have a responsibility to prevent illiteracy rather than wait until it is established and then try to find a remedy.
Any school wishing to take part in the 'preventative' study should contact me before the end of the year.
Eddie Carron
