[SENco-forum] Re Literacy

Well, that's another curious area, determing the 'reading age' of texts.  The 'readability' indicators I have seen are based on the number of polysyllabic words in a text.  A child who can decode competently (which all children should be able to do by age 11 if properly taught) will have no problem at all with polysyllabic words.  To be more useful, surely a readability measure should be based on the  comprehension level expected of a particular age?

Maggie

SEN at tringham.net wrote: Nothing new an education system with mixed messages.  LEA's saying that a
reading age of 11 is OK for Secondary level thus avoiding giving significant
support to poor readers unless they are 4 + years behind peers.  As you say
exam concessions only kicking in at around the 85 mark and yet texts offered
are aimed at 15 year olds when the child is 11-15.

Texts for 15 year olds are fine for the average cluster of 15/16 year olds
taking the exams as long as there is enough support available to support for
that 80-95 cluster that need help at the time as well as any who are
struggling to read the texts to early (Y7-9).

Not to worry - the government is about to bring in personalised learning
plans for every child.  This means that they know that children are
overstretched, that a failing cohort exist and that they are going to put
something in place to fix it, doesn't it?

(Not holding my breath) Sharon

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Hello everyone

  Reluctant to enter this debate but ...

  The real issue to me is the demand we are placing on pupils.  I did some
research years ago which suggested that the text books Year 7 pupils were
given had reading ages of 14 and above.  This year, the new GCSE science
exam papers seem to have reading levels which mean that those who have
standardised scores below 95 can't access them unaided when the cut off
point for having a reader is SS of 85.

  Amanda
  Secondary SENCO

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