Yes another reading level question..

[ChocolateMama]

I had parents evening with my son's teacher this week, and I asked her at what level he was for his reading. She said he was a little below national average. He had just started year 1 and is on yellow (1C I think?). Do you think this is correct?

Now finalise the overall level judgement by deciding whether the level is low, secure or high.

Low ? meets the minimum requirements for the level.

Secure ? meets the minimum requirements for the level with some additional highlighting of criteria at the level in most other AFs.

High ? the criteria for the level are highlighted across all, or almost all, the AFs, with some criteria in the level above likely to be highlighted as well.

Making Judgements in APP

This applies to all Key Stages not just KS1 (but obviously not to EYFS/ reception)

I have 'next steps' as 'I can' statements for reading, writing, speaking and listening, maths and science on an Excel file if anyone wants it.

It's from a assessment programme called Target Tracker which my last school used.

Targets for 1c reading are
I enjoy and can understand stories, rhymes and information read aloud to me.
I can say what I like or dislike about the things I read.
I can guess what my new book might be about using the title and pictures.
I can talk about what I have read when sharing books with someone.
I can blend to read consonant vowel consonant words e.g. cat
I can point to each word as I read with help from someone.
I can recognise some familiar words in books I read.
I know how to break down consonant vowel consonant words e.g. c-a-t.
I can usually read my own writing.

whereas 1b targets are:
I can retell a story, remembering what happened and who the story was about.
I enjoy listening and joining in when we do shared reading.
I can understand what I am reading when sharing books or reading to someone.
I can use single sounds to help me read new words.
I blend to read words of ccvc( consonant, consonant, vowel, consonant) patterns e.g. frog.
I can learn and say simple poems and rhymes.
I can point to each word as I read without being reminded by an adult.
I can confidently read my writing.
I am beginning to use words and sounds I know when I am reading and writing on my own.

We only use the NC levels not commercial products

As I tried to say before, but on my phone , I said P levels are not appropriate for Reception and Y1 children without SEN, Jan. That does not mean they are not appropriate for a Y4 child with SEN.

I still don't think you had any business telling the OP her ds is below average.

IC half a term into Y1 is certainly NOT below average

Level 1 is the expected level for year 1. The child is working at level one. There is no problem as far as I can see. The Target tracker is an example of what I was saying - teachers have been forced to invent sublevel descriptors because they have been forced into the sublevel system.

The actual APP system, also specifying how secure that level is, is much better than this sublevel nonsense which was only really invented to satisfy people who like to create lots of traffic lighted spreadsheets.

I think I can statements are useful for children but really, parents do not need to worry that their child will be illiterate if they are working at 1c rather than 1b. Level 1 is the expected level.

These fixed expectations for a whole year group sound very odd in practice as ages vary so much - how can you expect a September baby and an August baby to start off at the same point in yr 1?

My dd1 (Jan baby) was virtually the same age at the start of yr 1 as my dd2 (Aug) was at the end of that year - it would be ridiculous to expect them to have both been working at the same levels at the same point of the academic year.

Clearly these expectations are vast over-generalisations - if your child does not meet them it does NOT mean they are 'behind' some artificial standard.

breadandbutterfly they aren't fixed expectations for a whole year group

OP I think that 1c is good for this time of the year in Y1. My first daughter was a working towards level 1c this time in Y1 and ended the year at 2c, so did well even though her starting point was lower.

We were told that the average for end of Y1 is 1b.

There are of course huge variations, I wouldn't even say they are age related. My eldest son, August born, was an expectionally early and fluent reader, my eldest daugher winter born was just above average, as above.

My message would be - if your son enjoys reading and seems to be making progress, please don't worry!

for breadandbutterfly

the DfE says

Levels of achievement

The National Curriculum sets standards of achievement in each subject for pupils aged 5 to 14. For most subjects, these standards range from Levels 1 to 8. Pupils progress up the levels as they get older and learn more:

<strong>most</strong> 7 year olds are expected to achieve Level 2
<strong>most</strong> 11 year olds are expected to achieve Level 4
<strong>most</strong> 14 year olds are expected to achieve Levels 5 or 6