Reader TTS

AdNewsLocal NewsNewsLocal NewsNews HomeNewsSportCommunityTributes & FuneralsClassifiedsExplore TravelEntertainmentLifestyleRecommendedQuick LinksToday’s PaperDownload our appInteractive

PuzzlesViewJobsNetworkVideoView real estatePress Releases from AAPContact usHelp CentrePrivacy PolicyAbout usView Subscription OffersThe Examiner's complete view of propertyHome/News/Local

News'This is really working': Phonics program makes difference to literacy ratesBy Duncan BaileyUpdated December 18 2024 - 2:39pm, first published 2:30pmBy Duncan BaileyUpdated December 18

2024 - 2:39pm, first published 2:30pmFacebookTwitterWhatsappEmailCopy The number of Tasmanian students meeting or exceeding phonics achievements in government schools has increased by five

percentage points this year.

Subscribe now for unlimited access. Login or signup to continue reading

50% off EOFY SaleAll articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperCrosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll other regional websites in your areaContinue The Year 1 Phonics Check

was designed to help teachers identify students who may need more help learning to read and assist teachers in identifying how well the children can "decode" written words by listening to

how the child sounds out the letter and letter groups.

Punchbowl Primary School principal Jane King said like teachers, parents were overwhelmed when they heard the statistic.

The number of students exceeding expected phonics achievements in Tasmanian government schools has increased by five percentage points this year. Picture supplied "Our staff are incredibly

proud and it's not just our prep teachers and our grade one teachers. This is an approach right across the school from kindergarten to grade six," Ms King said.

"I think that is the strength of what we're doing. We're developing really consistent, high-quality practices right across our school."

Data released by the Department for Education, Children and Young People in 2023 showed close to one in five Tasmanian students from prep to year 10 were not meeting set literacy and

numeracy standards.

Ms King said she wasn't surprised by the figure.

"But I knew that a lot of work was going into focusing on the reading area, and it was a whole school approach and all teachers were involved," Ms King said.

"I think the enthusiasm and the professionalism of our staff has really helped us and supported us in this space."

Punchbowl Primary quality teaching coach Jess Bennett said the screening put in place identified where students were at with their learning.

"We knew that every student knew their sounds, they were able to identify those sounds, but when it came to reading books, they weren't quite sure how to pull all those things together and

actually read them," Ms Bennett said.

"We've brought in a lot of things, like the manipulatives, so segmenting and blending words ... every classroom is doing that across our prep to grade two.

She said she didn't expect such a positive result.

Education Minister Jo Palmer said the results showed "unbelievable levels of improvement". Picture supplied "We knew we were on track - we could see that progress happening," she said.

"We could actually see the student's enthusiasm to be able to pick up a book that was unknown to them and engage with it really positively because they had those skills and knowledge.

"When we saw the data, we went, wow, this is really working."

Education Minister Jo Palmer said schools delivering structured literacy were seeing "unbelievable levels of improvement".

"We know that we have a long way to go; there is more for us to do," Ms Palmer said.

"But to know that we are headed in the right direction, that the years of work that we've been doing in enforcing the benefits of the structured teaching of literacy, those results are now

coming to fruition."

From 2025, all primary school teachers will deliver a minimum of 60 minutes of structured literacy instruction every day.

ShareFacebookTwitterWhatsappEmailCopyDuncan BaileyJournalistPassionate about all things happening in the North East focusing on health and science. Curtin University Alumni. Got a story? Get

in touch: [email protected] about all things happening in the North East focusing on health and science. Curtin University Alumni. Got a story? Get in touch:

[email protected] from Local NewsNorthern Tas: Budget delivers delays, some cost overruns, across region2hrs agoNo commentsDebt, deficit, savings: Budget provides new insight

into state's finances2hrs agoNo commentsMagistrate says no conviction not an option for man's serious offences1hr ago'We didn't start the incident': Club to appeal as melee bans total 11

gamesNo comments'Favourite place to play': Launceston back on upgraded home after 280 days1hr agoNo comments'Not quite ready' Longford keen to test Bombers, top-four scramble in NTFAW1hr

agoNo commentsNewsletters & AlertsView all Daily

Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update.

Loading... Weekdays

The lunch break Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation.

Loading... Weekdays

The evening wrap Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening.

Loading... Weekly

Subscriber OnlyNote from the Editor Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters.

Loading... Weekly

Subscriber OnlyFootyHQ Love footy? We've got all the action covered.

Loading... Weekly

Sport The latest news, results & expert analysis.

Loading... Weekly

Explore Travel Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe.

Loading... Weekdays

The Echidna Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more.

Loading... Twice weekly

The Informer Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday.

Loading... Twice weekly

Voice of Real Australia Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over.

Loading... Weekly

Motoring Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner.

Loading... As it happens

Breaking news alert Be the first to know when news breaks.

Loading... Daily

Subscriber OnlyToday's Paper Alert Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am!

Loading... Daily

Subscriber OnlyYour favourite puzzles Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!

Loading... Advertisement

Ad Advertisement

AdAustralian Community MediaACM WebsiteConditions of UsePrivacyTerms and Conditions - Digital SubscriptionTerms and Conditions - Newspaper SubscriptionThe ExaminerContactAbout UsWorking With

UsToday's PaperCommenting GuidelinesView Property EditionHelp CentreOur SitesViewExploreView InsuranceBeevoPlace an AdClassifiedsCarsTributes & FuneralsCelebrationsPromo

CodesAgTraderMeHelpFarmer's FinanceGarage SalesSubmitSend a letter to the EditorSend Us Your News