Big drop in NZ children's reading performance
Apr 28th 2003, 5:28 am
#1
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Big drop in NZ children's reading performance
A new international survey on children's reading shows a dramatic drop in the reading performance of New Zealand children over the past 10 years. The recently released, state-of the-art, Progress in International Reading Literacy Study of nine and ten year olds shows that NZ now ranks 13th, behind such countries as the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Bulgaria, England, the US and Canada.
"It is particularly disturbing to find that NZ was almost the LOWEST of the English speaking countries," says Professor Tunmer (Pro Vice Chancellor of Massey Univ College of Ed).
"Equally disturbing is the finding that NZ showed one of the largest gaps between good and poor readers. This finding ADDS to the growing body of research showing large inequities in literacy achievement for NZ children."
The survey also showed NZ was worst equal with Iran and Belize in terms of the difference in scores between boys and girls.
"These results are extremely disappointing but not surprising because the MoE has resisted calls for fundamental changes to the way reading is taught in NZ schools" says Professor Chapman. The strong opposition to including explicit and systematic phonics instruction over the past 20 years almost exactly coincides with NZ's steady decline in international studies of literacy achievement Professor Chapman says.
"It is particularly disturbing to find that NZ was almost the LOWEST of the English speaking countries," says Professor Tunmer (Pro Vice Chancellor of Massey Univ College of Ed).
"Equally disturbing is the finding that NZ showed one of the largest gaps between good and poor readers. This finding ADDS to the growing body of research showing large inequities in literacy achievement for NZ children."
The survey also showed NZ was worst equal with Iran and Belize in terms of the difference in scores between boys and girls.
"These results are extremely disappointing but not surprising because the MoE has resisted calls for fundamental changes to the way reading is taught in NZ schools" says Professor Chapman. The strong opposition to including explicit and systematic phonics instruction over the past 20 years almost exactly coincides with NZ's steady decline in international studies of literacy achievement Professor Chapman says.
Last edited by muppetking; Apr 28th 2003 at 5:52 am.
Apr 28th 2003, 5:36 am
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Howling at the Moon
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Interesting... though the observation about phonics I am yet to be quite convinced of. Northern Ireland still teaches a very "three 'r's" education and has the highest educational standards in the UK.
Apr 28th 2003, 5:39 am
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Originally posted by lairdside
Interesting... though the observation about phonics I am yet to be quite convinced of. Northern Ireland still teaches a very "three 'r's" education and has the highest educational standards in the UK.
Interesting... though the observation about phonics I am yet to be quite convinced of. Northern Ireland still teaches a very "three 'r's" education and has the highest educational standards in the UK.
Apr 28th 2003, 5:46 am
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Originally posted by muppetking
Fair enough but England ranked 3rd overall in the study and the phonics based approach is well entrenched.
Fair enough but England ranked 3rd overall in the study and the phonics based approach is well entrenched.
I was not taught using the phonics system (alright, I'm no spring chicken...lol) and neither were my two elder children who were school age whilst they lived in the UK (England and Wales as well as N.I.). They are aged eleven and thirteen. I think it may well depend upon your school and the area in which you live.
I sent the article to a friend of mine who is an ex-pat Kiwi living in the US for the past 2 years. Should get a reaction
Would you happen to have the url ? Be very grateful if you do as I can send it to her...
Apr 28th 2003, 5:49 am
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Originally posted by lairdside
I wasn't drawing any conclusions either way. There are always exceptions in any wide ranging example. With so many factors involved the reasons for the relative sucess/failure of any system are difficult to replicate.
I was not taught using the phonics system (alright, I'm no spring chicken...lol) and neither were my two elder children who were school age whilst they lived in the UK (England and Wales as well as N.I.). They are aged eleven and thirteen. I think it may well depend upon your school and the area in which you live.
I sent the article to a friend of mine who is an ex-pat Kiwi living in the US for the past 2 years. Should get a reaction Would you happen to have the url ? Be very grateful if you do as I can send it to her...
I wasn't drawing any conclusions either way. There are always exceptions in any wide ranging example. With so many factors involved the reasons for the relative sucess/failure of any system are difficult to replicate.
I was not taught using the phonics system (alright, I'm no spring chicken...lol) and neither were my two elder children who were school age whilst they lived in the UK (England and Wales as well as N.I.). They are aged eleven and thirteen. I think it may well depend upon your school and the area in which you live.
I sent the article to a friend of mine who is an ex-pat Kiwi living in the US for the past 2 years. Should get a reaction
Would you happen to have the url ? Be very grateful if you do as I can send it to her...
Apr 28th 2003, 5:58 am
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Apr 28th 2003, 6:36 am
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Re: Big drop in NZ children's reading performance
Originally posted by muppetking
A new international survey on children's reading shows a dramatic drop in the reading performance of New Zealand children over the past 10 years. The recently released, state-of the-art, Progress in International Reading Literacy Study of nine and ten year olds shows that NZ now ranks 13th, behind such countries as the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Bulgaria, England, the US and Canada.
"It is particularly disturbing to find that NZ was almost the LOWEST of the English speaking countries," says Professor Tunmer (Pro Vice Chancellor of Massey Univ College of Ed).
"Equally disturbing is the finding that NZ showed one of the largest gaps between good and poor readers. This finding ADDS to the growing body of research showing large inequities in literacy achievement for NZ children."
The survey also showed NZ was worst equal with Iran and Belize in terms of the difference in scores between boys and girls.
"These results are extremely disappointing but not surprising because the MoE has resisted calls for fundamental changes to the way reading is taught in NZ schools" says Professor Chapman. The strong opposition to including explicit and systematic phonics instruction over the past 20 years almost exactly coincides with NZ's steady decline in international studies of literacy achievement Professor Chapman says.
A new international survey on children's reading shows a dramatic drop in the reading performance of New Zealand children over the past 10 years. The recently released, state-of the-art, Progress in International Reading Literacy Study of nine and ten year olds shows that NZ now ranks 13th, behind such countries as the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Bulgaria, England, the US and Canada.
"It is particularly disturbing to find that NZ was almost the LOWEST of the English speaking countries," says Professor Tunmer (Pro Vice Chancellor of Massey Univ College of Ed).
"Equally disturbing is the finding that NZ showed one of the largest gaps between good and poor readers. This finding ADDS to the growing body of research showing large inequities in literacy achievement for NZ children."
The survey also showed NZ was worst equal with Iran and Belize in terms of the difference in scores between boys and girls.
"These results are extremely disappointing but not surprising because the MoE has resisted calls for fundamental changes to the way reading is taught in NZ schools" says Professor Chapman. The strong opposition to including explicit and systematic phonics instruction over the past 20 years almost exactly coincides with NZ's steady decline in international studies of literacy achievement Professor Chapman says.
At what age do children start schooling in Aus?
My elder daughter started nursery at age 3.5. She was able to read simple sentences by age 4 and read and write well by age 6 (like all other children here do). Children are pushed pretty hard at an early age. I am worried about the Aus standard of education
Nina
Apr 28th 2003, 7:14 pm
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Originally posted by lairdside
Thankyou!
Thankyou!
Apr 28th 2003, 8:36 pm
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Interesting... though the observation about phonics I am yet to be quite convinced of. Northern Ireland still teaches a very "three 'r's" education and has the highest educational standards in the UK.
I would be interested to know where you are getting this fact from?!
I expect the results for England have risen dramatically over the last 7 years since the re-introduction of phonics and the literacy hour. Teachers have to stick to a very structured curriculum which focuses on explicit aspects of spelling/ reading etc. This has led to a rise in the reading ages of many children across the U.k.
Thankfully the 1970's days where you were lucky if they taught you any aspects of grammar or phonics are gone over here.
It is a shame that Australia wasn't included in the study; I wonder why?:lecture: :lecture:
I would be interested to know where you are getting this fact from?!
I expect the results for England have risen dramatically over the last 7 years since the re-introduction of phonics and the literacy hour. Teachers have to stick to a very structured curriculum which focuses on explicit aspects of spelling/ reading etc. This has led to a rise in the reading ages of many children across the U.k.
Thankfully the 1970's days where you were lucky if they taught you any aspects of grammar or phonics are gone over here.
It is a shame that Australia wasn't included in the study; I wonder why?:lecture: :lecture:
Apr 28th 2003, 11:58 pm
#10
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Originally posted by tinaj
Interesting... though the observation about phonics I am yet to be quite convinced of. Northern Ireland still teaches a very "three 'r's" education and has the highest educational standards in the UK.
I would be interested to know where you are getting this fact from?!
Interesting... though the observation about phonics I am yet to be quite convinced of. Northern Ireland still teaches a very "three 'r's" education and has the highest educational standards in the UK.
I would be interested to know where you are getting this fact from?!
The statement about N.I. having the highest standard of education in the U.K. ( in terms of the academic performance of it's schools and students overall) has been consistently reported in numerous educational reports over the years. Please bear in mind - N.I. does not have Comprehensive education but rather the old Secondary Modern/Technical/Grammar school set-up complete with eleven plus exam.
The schools on the mainland which have been shown to consistently compare with the better N.I grammar schools in terms of academic performance are for the most part Independent schools.
I'll dig out some of the reports for you in a short while as I've just fallen in the door..
Last edited by lairdside; Apr 29th 2003 at 12:03 am.
