It seems to be denied or ignored by those who are in favour of the practice. And worse, other parts of the world are just now implementing similar universal screening instead of learning from UK experience.

So children are performing better on the tasks in the phonics screening, which makes sense given the mandated push for focusing on these skills. The article is citing evidence that reading achievement has not really changed & that fewer children are reading for pleasure. That is troubling.

I wrote a whole paper in graduate school criticizing the Units of Study, so I’m not a fan by any means. Still, this is insane and sets a horrific precedent. It’s the type of zealotry that can only be found in the newly converted & under informed.

www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...

Do you mean that the number of children passing the phonics screening has increased?

Thank you!