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University of Reading research on precocious (young early) readers identified phonemic awareness (the ability to hear, identify and manipulate small units of sound) as being important for success in learning to read words. These findings have impacted on national recommendations about the teaching of phonics in the early years; influenced the development of a series of television programmes for pre-school children; influenced the teaching of reading in English in Malaysia; and led to involvement in the development of a phonics screener for Year 1 children. The work has also had an impact on classroom assessments and the training of teachers.
This is a case study of the impact of theoretically-motivated research in psychology on children's reading development. In 1990 an educational psychologist found that reading standards in England were in decline, which was thought to be due to the lack of phonics teaching. The underpinning research showed that synthetic phonics teaching was very much more effective at developing reading and spelling skills than the analytic phonics approach adopted in England in 1999. The Education Select Committee took evidence on this research from Johnston, and synthetic phonics became the recommended method in England. The Key Stage 1 national reading assessment carried out in 2012 showed that 2% more children (estimated to be around 7,500) reached the expected level in reading in 2012 than the previous year, and in 2013 it went up a further 2%. In 2012, 58% of children in Year 1 passed the new Phonics Check, and in 2013 69% passed.
The Centre for Research into Inclusion and Vulnerable Learners' research on dyslexia and multilingualism in schools (Tilly Mortimore, Mim Hutchings and Anny Northcote) has influenced the public policy of several Local Authorities in England and of the South African Association of Learning Differences (SAALED), through which it has also impacted upon the practice of teachers, psychologists and facilitators in both countries. Mortimore's research on dyslexia and learning style in higher education is part of her wider body of research in this field which has influenced the curriculum and policies of several UK universities, and has also made an impact upon the policy and training offered by professional associations such as the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) and Professional Association of Teachers with SpLD (PATOSS).
Approximately 3-6% of children in the UK have literacy difficulties and are at high risk of educational underachievement. Basic scientific investigation of reading and language development and disorders led to the design and evaluation of school-based interventions for children with language and literacy difficulties. The findings have fed into government reports on the teaching of literacy in schools, dyslexia and the assessment and monitoring of children's progress in phonics in the form of the nationally-introduced Phonics Screening Test. The interventions, delivered by teaching assistants, were implemented and evaluated in Cumbria and North Yorkshire. They are now recommended by the Department for Education and are commercially available from Down Syndrome Education International, and have influenced the procedures of the Special Educational Needs/Tribunal Service.
Literacy and language work reciprocally to support children's learning and attainment. Professors Morag Stuart and Julie Dockrell, in complementary and sometimes co-authored work, have had a substantial influence on the way children of all abilities and with a range of needs are taught to read and develop their broader oral language and literacy skills. Their work influenced national programmes in England on early reading, dyslexia and spoken language (National Literacy Strategy and National Curriculum) and speech, language and communication needs (the Better Communication Research Programme). Their findings provided educational professionals and speech and language therapists with the conceptual understanding that underpins good practice, and helped equip teachers to identify difficulties and intervene.
This case study details the impact of pioneering research into reading groups, undertaken by Professor Jenny Hartley and Sarah Turvey. The huge expansion of reading groups and reader development in the UK over the last decade is largely due to their work. Underpinned by that research, their highly successful Prison Reading Groups project (PRG) now supports over 40 groups in more than 30 prisons. The key impacts of their work are:
This case study demonstrates enhanced early literacy through the application of a novel music-based literacy programme (Tune Time) developed by the submitting unit. In two Year 1 classrooms that have implemented the intervention, children have benefited in terms of enhanced phonological awareness as a result of Tune Time. The benefit is disproportionately stronger for those with weaker pre-intervention literacy skills, thereby reducing variability in literacy levels in the classrooms. Teachers also benefit from improved pedagogical practice and educational outcomes.
Our research has transformed teachers' understanding of reading, leading to more effective practices. Teachers reconceptualised reading from a solitary to a social and multimedia practice, resulting in improved attitudes to reading amongst pupils. Championed by five English Local Authorities (LAs), one project was implemented in 800 schools (36,000 pupils per year group) with 61% of reading scores rising at twice the average rate. It was later developed in several other LAs. Embedded in the training of national literacy consultants (550) and initial teacher education lecturers (290), this research shaped policy and practice in England. Using new media, the Our Story app has influenced teachers' perceptions and children's reading enjoyment in diverse international settings.
Having conducted novel research into developmental dyslexia amongst Japanese children, Professor Wydell led the development of the first Screening Test of Reading and Writing (STRAW- 1), a systematic/comprehensive tool for diagnosing children with dyslexia across primary schools in Japan. The test also identifies areas of cognitive deficits enabling appropriate intervention programmes tailored for each dyslexic child's needs. As the first and only standardised test available, nearly 9,000 institutions in Japan use STRAW-1, including educational authorities, primary schools, schools for special needs education, local children's welfare centres, hospitals, clinics, and universities.
Research has led to enhanced teacher understanding and practice in developing higher-cognitive thinking, forms of exploratory peer talk and the comprehension of challenging whole texts in their students, leading to new assessment of children in Years 7-9. Additionally, the research has influenced new national training materials on exploratory talk for all secondary-school English teachers, developed students' learning in both talk and reading, and established best practice in English classrooms in these two key areas of literacy, throughout Sussex and beyond.