Re: Worrying article suggesting a 'focus on phonics' excludes children with special needs
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 5:56 pm
Dr Marlynne Grant points out that systematic synthetic phonics provision works with 'all' children. She writes:
http://www.rrf.org.uk/pdf/Grant%20Follo ... 202014.pdf
I think Dr Grant's studies are important and they contribute to the bigger picture of 'findings'. I reference Dr Grant's studies in my article for Special Educational Needs magazine here:
https://senmagazine.co.uk/articles/arti ... or-phonics
Here is Dr Grant's paper on two studies based on systematic synthetic phonics provision for a range of children of varying capabilities:“This longitudinal research has shown that Systematic Synthetic Phonics (SSP) is effective for the reading, spell and writing skills of all children, not just for the high-flyers and middle band children but also the slow-to-start and special needs children as well. The research showed that SSP is successful even with children starting Reception with the lowest level of language and with low social skills on school entry. SSP is successful with children starting Reception with no pre-established letter(s)-sound correspondences and with no prior reading or spelling skills. It is also effective with children thought to be vulnerable and disadvantaged because of factors such as gender, socio-economic group, first language not English, age (summer birthdays), struggling learners, children with attention difficulties and those with significant social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.“
http://www.rrf.org.uk/pdf/Grant%20Follo ... 202014.pdf
I think Dr Grant's studies are important and they contribute to the bigger picture of 'findings'. I reference Dr Grant's studies in my article for Special Educational Needs magazine here:
https://senmagazine.co.uk/articles/arti ... or-phonics