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Turning the page

Tackling the myths and assumptions that impede reading in schools

Turning the page: tackling the myths and assumptions that impede reading in schools

In our new report, we attempt to shine a light on the challenges of teaching reading in schools. We surveyed 445 teachers in international schools across the globe, and the findings were insightful.

Key findings include:

  • Teachers across both primary and secondary phases say a third of their students are weak readers, with a fifth regularly taken out of class to improve their reading
  • They estimate that two hours of curriculum time per week is lost through reading support
  • Almost all teachers – 93% – believe they have a personal responsibility to help weak readers improve

In addition to analysing these discoveries, our report extends an invitation to school leaders and experts to outline the paramount challenges in executing a proficient reading strategy and suggest actionable measures for addressing them. They also explain how assessments like the New Group Reading Test (NGRT) and Star Reading, and cross-curricular tools such as myON, can help.

Themes

Teachers across both primary and secondary phases say a third of their students are weak readers, with a fifth regularly taken out of class to improve their reading.

They estimate that two hours of curriculum time per week is lost through reading support.

Almost all teachers – 93% – believe they have a personal responsibility to help weak readers improve.

But 8 in 10 have been at a loss from time to time as to how to help them, and believe it would be valuable to know which students in their class are struggling readers.

There is no significant difference in attitudes between primary and secondary teachers, or for the most part between teachers in international schools and those in the UK.

The main divergence is in reading policies – international schools appear to be much less prescriptive than UK schools.

Teachers are pragmatic – three-quarters think it’s fine for students to read/listen digitally.

How NGRT, Star Reading and myON can help

Turning the page - tackling the myths and assumptions on reading in schools

Listen to the latest episode of our podcast on the myths and assumptions on reading in schools