In England, children in state schools must take a phonics screening check at the end of Year 1, testing their ability to blend sounds and read words using synthetic phonics. However, a report by the Education Policy Institute challenges the effectiveness of this test, finding no evidence that it improves reading skills or narrows attainment gaps between children from different socio-economic backgrounds. Data from the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) shows only a slight improvement in reading scores since 2011, with no significant change since 2001. The report raises concerns about the high-stakes nature of the test, and nearly 40% of teachers believe it should be abolished. A 2018 study also found that most teachers felt the test offered little useful information about students’ reading progress.
https://phys.org/news/2024-11-phonics-screening-year-olds-england.html
