Deciphering Report?

[PurpleDaisy2114]

Hi there, DD is 7 so in Year 2. She has SEN and for every subject she is noted as 'working at foundation level for national expectation'. What, exactly does that mean??
Also, she failed phonics test in year 1 and has failed it again in year 2. Considering she is in a specialist SALT Additionally resourced Centre at school and getting small group teaching I would have thought that would bring her to expected level??
She has PDA, verbal dyspraxia/severe speech disorder and dyspraxia. School insist that she should integrate more into mainstream but I completely disagree. I think she needs a specialist school setting to meet her needs. Any thoughts?

[spanieleyes]

Working at foundation means that they are working below the expectations of the "working towards" statements. A definition can be found at
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/655620/2017_to_2018_interim_pre-key_stage_1_standards_PDFA.pdf
so, in brief, levels would go from
P scales
foundation
working towards
expected
greater depth.

With regard to the phonics screening, can you ask for her results at the end of year 1 and again at the end of yr 2 ( the actual score rather than just met/not met) then you will see how much ( if any) progress she has made.
Are there any specialist speech and language schools in your area? All our have been closed ( even the additional resource units in mainstream schools) and children are expected to "manage" in mainstream.

[PurpleDaisy2114]

Thanks spanieleyes, that's really helpful.

[ThisIsNotARealAvo]

With regard to the phonics, there are some children who never get the screening check because they do not learn to read this way or because they are still behind with their phonics.

I have worked in Y1 since the screen started in 2012 and there are usually about 4 children out of each cohort who still can't use phonics to read by the end of year 2.

Is your DD able to read? You should be asking the school how she has progressed with her reading as the phonics check is only one part of reading.

[PurpleDaisy2114]

Thanks Thisisnotarealavo. She can read up to level 3 of Oxford Reading Tree- Biff, chip and kipper etc.

[ThisIsNotARealAvo]

I don't know ORT very well so I don't know the levels. Do you think her reading is progressing? And does she have strategies for working out unknown words? Most children will use phonics to sound out new words but some children use picture clues, the context or have no strategy but remember the word for next time if an adult helps them.

[Norestformrz]

Some children take longer to learn but they can all learn with phonics unless there is severe cognitive difficulties.
It may be the unit are focusing on her language difficulties at this time as a primary need but only they can tell you.

[PurpleDaisy2114]

Thanks norestfornrz. They are focusing on speech, definitely. Seem far less switched on with her Autism.

[RideSallyRide76]

Isn't there any alternative assessment in place, in our school all children working below "working towards" level will have a pivats score with highlighted statements to show where they're up to. Ask if the can talk you through their assessment processes to show you how she's making progress.