|
Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
|
Policy and research: Lessons from the Clackmannanshire Synthetic Phonics Initiative
Sue Ellis
University of Strathclyde, Scotland, sue.ellis{at}strath.ac.uk
This article explores why policy makers in England and Scotland responded so differently to the Clackmannanshire study on synthetic phonics. It suggests that a deeper understanding of the national and local policy contexts can explain Scotland's response. Analysis of the wider context of the Clackmannanshire initiative supports Moss and Huxford's (2007) argument that literacy problems cannot be couched within a single paradigm's field of reference, and that policy makers need to consider evidence from different paradigms if they are to make robust decisions.
Key Words: Clackmannanshire curriculum policy early intervention literacy staff development synthetic phonics
References
- Andalo, D. (2005) `Reading Scheme Will Not Be Rolled Out in Scotland ', Guardian (3 June): 3,URL:http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,1498836,00.html.
- Blackmore, J. (1998) `The Politics of Gender and Educational Change ', in A. Hargreaves, A. Liberman, M. Fullen and D. Hopkins (eds) International Handbook of Educational Change, pp. 460—81. Norwell, MA: Kluwer Academic.
- Clackmannanshire Council (2003) My Mum Likes School: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Home School Liaison Work in Increasing Parental Involvement in Four Core Schools. Clackmannan: Clacks Council Early Learning Initiatives.
- Datnow, A., Hubbard, L. and Mehan, H. (2002) Extending Educational Reform: From One School to Many. London: RoutledgeFalmer.
- Department for Education and Skills (DfES) ( 2006) Independent Review of the Teaching of Early Reading: Final Report, `The Rose Review'. London: DfES.
- Education and Skills Committee (2005a) Eighth Report:Witnesses Monday 15 November 2004: Dr Morag Stuart. London: United Kingdom Parliament, URL (consulted 16 May 2005): http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmeduski/121/12111.htm
- Education and Skills Committee (2005b) Teaching Children to Read: Eighth Report of Session 2004—5. London: HMSO.
- Fracassini, C., Farquharson, K. and Marney, H. (2005) `Focus: Secrecy that Fails Scotland (Or What the Executive, Unions, Councils — and Even Some Parents — Don't Want You To Know)', Sunday Times (Scotland) (13 November), URL (March 2006): http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2090—1870190_1.00html
- Fraser, H., MacDougall, A., Pirrie, A. and Croxford, L. (2001) `Early Intervention in Literacy and Numeracy: Key Issues From the National Evaluation of the Programme', Interchange 71. Edinburgh: SEED.
- Goswami, U. (2005) `Synthetic Phonics and Learning To Read: A Cross-Language Perspective', Educational Psychology in Practice 21(4): 273—82.[CrossRef]
- Hanen (2002) Learning Language and Loving it: A Guide to Promoting Children's Social, Language, and Literacy Development in Early Childhood Settings (Second Edition). Canada: Weitzman and Greenberg.
- HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIe) (2006) `Pilot Inspection of the Education Functions of Clackmannanshire Council in October 2005', SEED, Edinburgh, http://www.hmie.gov.uk/documents/inspection/ClackmannanINEA2Pilot.html
- Humes, W.M. and Bryce, T.G.K. (2003) `The Distinctiveness of Scottish Education', in T.G.K. Bryce and W.M. Humes (eds) Scottish Education: Second Edition Post-Devolution, pp. 108—18. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
- Johnston, R.J. and Watson, J.E. (2004) `Accelerating the Development of Reading, Spelling and Phonemic Awareness Skills in Initial Readers', Reading and Writing 17: 327—57.[CrossRef]
- Johnston, R. and Watson, J. (2005a) `A Seven Year Study of the Effects of Synthetic Phonics Teaching on Reading and Spelling Attainment', Insight 17. Edinburgh: SEED.
- Johnston, R. and Watson J. (2005b) The Effects of Synthetic Phonics Teaching on Reading and Spelling Attainment: A Seven Year Longitudinal Study. Edinburgh: SEED.
- Johnston, R. (2006) Personal Communication, 8 April 2006.
- MacKay, T. (2006) The West Dunbartonshire Literacy Initiative:The Design, Implementation and Evaluation of an Intervention Strategy to Raise Achievement and Eradicate Illiteracy — Phase I Research Report. Dumbarton: West Dunbartonshire Council.
- Macnair, L. (2006) `Inside the Classroom: Three Approaches to Phonics Teaching (Synthetic Phonics — How I Teach It)', in M. Lewis and S. Ellis (eds) Phonics: Practice, Research and Policy, pp. 45—59. London: Sage.
- Moss, G. and Huxford, L. (2007) `Exploring Literacy Policy-Making From the Inside Out', in L. Saunders (ed.) Exploring the Relationship between Educational Research and Education Policy-Making. London: RoutledgeFalmer.
- National Inquiry into the Teaching of Literacy (NITL) (2005) Teaching Reading: Literature Review. Melbourne: Australian Government, Department of Education, Science and Training.
- Pawson, R. (2005) Evidence-based Policy: A Realist Perspective. London: Sage.
- Robertson, L. (1999) Report to Learning and Leisure Committee of 27 October 1999, Clackmannanshire Early Learning Initiative: Third Progress Report. Clackmannan: Clackmannanshire Council, URL (consulted March 2006): http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:jHEYgXxY578J:ltscotland.org.uk/images/claloceval1_tcm4—122377.pdf
- Robertson, L. (2005) `Why Synthetic Phonics was a Natural Winner', Scotsman (27 April), URL (consulted March 2006): http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/education.cfm
- Scottish Executive Education Department (SEED) ( 2002) Programme for International Student Assessment: Scottish Report, Education and Young People Research Unit. Edinburgh: SEED.
- Scottish Executive Education Department (SEED) ( 2007) National Priorities for Education. Edinburgh: SEED, URL (consulted March 2007): http://www.nationalpriorities.org.uk/schools/priority1.html
- Smith, C. (2007) `One Man's Quest To Eradicate Illiteracy', Independent (8 March), URL (consulted March 2007): http://education.independent.co.uk/careers_advice/article2336440.ece
- Stuart, M. (2006) `Teaching Reading: Why Start With Systematic Phonics Teaching?', The Psychology of Education Review 30(2): 6—17.
- Watson, J.E. and Johnston, R.S. (1998) `Accelerating Reading Attainment: The Effectiveness of Synthetic Phonics', Interchange 57. Edinburgh: SEED.
Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, Vol. 7, No. 3,
281-297 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1468798407083660

CiteULike Complore Connotea Del.icio.us Digg Reddit Technorati Twitter What's this?
|
|