Teaching Children to Read

The ability to read is the key to educational achievement, and poor literacy skills will limit a person's opportunities throughout life. The Committee's inquiry examines current practice in schools used to teach children to read, in order to consider which method works best based on available evidence. Recognition is given that the subject is a complex one and is also influenced by a range of factors outside a school's control. Issues discussed include the impact of the National Literacy Strategy (NLS); literacy teaching methods including the phonics method, which focuses on sound-letter correspondence; the need to promote reading for pleasure; research evidence findings; barriers to reading acquisition; learning difficulties and disabilities. Current statistics indicate that around 20 per cent of children aged 11 years still underachieve in reading and writing skills for their age level. The Committee's recommendations include the need for a review of the NLS prescribed methodology for the teaching of reading in primary schools, and that further large-scale comparative research should be commissioned by the DfES to determine which methods are most effective.