The federal government is investigating a plan to implement mandatory phonics tests for grade 1 pupils, to ensure their literacy and numeracy capabilities are being met.
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Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham said the recommendation came from a report commissioned from a panel of experts that noted there was no comprehensive, nationwide testing of grade 1 pupils’ ability and standards.
“The evidence is clear that early phonics and numeracy checks can help to boost outcomes for Australian students,” he said.
“The idea behind these checks is to ensure students don’t slip through the cracks.”
The report, led by Dr Jennifer Buckingham, sought input from state and territory education departments and school associations.
It noted there was a “clear gap” in the assessment of phonics nationally, and recommended the adoption of a UK phonics assessment in all schools.
The assessment was to be a ‘light touch’ screening conducted by teachers in a relaxed setting with individual pupils, in the middle of the second year of schooling.
Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the state had a “very strong” reform agenda on education and the state was open to the plan.
“Literacy and numeracy are the foundation skills for education, so we’re open to that year 1 formative test,” he said.
“We’re a great supporter of phonics in our education system in Tasmania and this won’t be a high-stakes test, it’s more an assessment of where things are at for a particular student.”
Independent Schools Tasmania executive director Tony Crehan said the association supported the proposal, saying it should not burden teachers with additional work.
