An ''inexpensive trial'' policy improved all pupils' literacy in the early years and had long-term effects on children who struggle with reading, a major new study has found. The ''teaching to teach'' literacy study, which sent phonics consultants to support primary school teachers and tracked 270,000 primary school children from reception to year 6, showed persistent effects on non-native English speakers and pupils eligible for free school meals.
Study author Sandra McNally, Director of the Education and Skills Programme at the Centre for Economic Performance, said the ''inequality-reducing impact'' of the intervention alone justified the cost of implementation, which was ''much lower'' compared to other proven strategies such as reducing class size.
This article was published online by Schools Week on April 25, 2016
Link to article here
Related publications
''Teaching to Teach'' Literacy, Stephen Machin, Sandra McNally and Martina Viarengo, Centre for Economic Performance Discussion Paper No.1425, April 2016
Related links
Stephen Machin webpage
Sandra McNally webpage
Education and Skills Programme webpage
Read more... Schools Week