Teachers who've done the phonics test, what did you find out?

[MerryMarigold]

Just wondering what kinds of useful info it showed up. Is it worth doing? Mrz mentioned it had thrown up some interesting findings...

Indigo, it's all a big learning curve for me! I also (generally) trust rather than mistrust (until proved wrong). I have had a positive experience with the school though, which is that they referred me and I have been seen by the Child and Family Consultation Service. This is mostly to do with ds1's sleeping/ social isolation, but they also deal with other things. We'll see...

Our Head reads, approves and signs all of the reports, and when it is something that has to be reported to parents, as in this case, I think she is perfectly entitled to decide how it is done.

Nope, Marigold - the tests are a very small part anyway, and could be done any time. But you might just as well take your dc out of the whole of Y1 or Reception to boycott assessment, it's exactly the same thing.

If we don't assess constantly, how do we know what children know, and what we need to teach next? That doesn't mean constant testing, btw.

My head reads and signs reports too but doesn't dictate how I word my reports

Neither does mine, unless she has real issues with what I have written, which is rare. I am referring solely to the feedback to parents about the outcome of the phonics check.

Thing is though Thornbury, you're not reporting anything if it is totally vague. It's just a waste of space. If you say "They didn't reach the required standard because..." or if you say "They didn't quite reach the required standard, so a little extra work has to be done, but they're nearly there!" (only in more official and less easy to understand language) then that is reporting something worth knowing.

Thornbury. I think rather than draw attention away from the phonics test, it draws attention to it.To say, "Your child didn't reach the required standard" and leave it at that will instill panic in some parents, many questions in others and only those who probably don't even read the report would find it sufficient. I think a specific sentence regarding the test, for each child would dispell a lot of worry even if it's just what part of phonics they need to work on.

What I have generally said is something about their phonic knowledge, reading fluency and comprehension that is indicative of their reading ability, and then the sentence about has/has not met the expected standard in phonic decoding, and if applicable, that the child will continue to get support with reading, writing and spelling next year, along with suggestions on how they could be supported at home.

OK. sounds great! Sorry for hounding.

No problem :)

evil twins we didn't send anything home or do anything different until the week before, then we used our guided reading sessions to expose my class to what the words will look like. We have included some pseudo words in our phonics for ages, but as part of our whole school approach. Haven't reported to parents yet and results are NOT going I. Reports as I had finished them already!!!!!