Labor has hit back at the government following the announcement of a new phonic check to help teachers identify students who need extra help with reading, saying it did not go far enough.
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Labor's Josh Willie MLC said new Education Minister Sarah Courtney should do more to support Tasmanian students to achieve the literacy target set by the government.
"The recently announced provision of the Year One Phonics Check to all schools is welcome but Minister Courtney's commitment simply does not go far enough," he said.
"This check must be mandated so all Tasmanian students who need additional literacy support can be identified."
IN OTHER NEWS:
On Friday it was announced a Year One Phonics Check would be made available to all state primary schools in Tasmania by Term 3 this year.
During the check, students are given a mixture of 20 real words and 20 fake, or nonsense, words and are assessed on their ability to recognise which are real and which are fake.
However, the test is not compulsory for schools to implement.
Ms Courtney said it was the first year the testing had been rolled out for Tasmanian public schools and it had been well received and embraced.
"The Liberal government is increasing the number of in-school quality literacy coaches by 50 per cent, with a further 40 coaches, to provide further professional learning and guidance for teachers," she said.
Ms Courtney said in addition to the coaches, Tasmanian government schools had access to resources that provided guidance for phonics instruction.
"Professional learning around this resource has been strongly attended by teachers across the state," she said.
"These supports will strengthen teachers' capacity to be responsive to student learning and to intentionally build phonics connections to the learner's writing and reading experiences."
However, Mr Willie believed a three-tier instructional model would go even further to assist students.
"This model would identify struggling students and provide further instruction delivered by well-trained teachers in small groups or intensive one-on-one support," he said.
Ms Courtney said the initiative would continue to be reviewed, with further steps able to be taken to increase take up if required.
Dana Anderson
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
