This week’s hot topic: Phonics

There are two schools of thought on this subject. The first states that phonics is the way to go, that it’s skills and techniques have made reading skills accessible for hundreds of thousands of students around the globe, through generations. The second is that phonics should only play a cursory role in the teaching of reading and that it has no place outside the new entrant classroom.

With the publication of research this week the debate continues as to how great a role phonics should play in the teaching of reading.

Related new articles:

• New Zealand study spells out disadvantages of phonics reading education
• Teaching Kids How to Read: 'Sound it Out' May Not Be the Best Method
• Phonics remain a useful tool for effective reading
• Doubts over phonetic reading method
• Phonics ‘still useful’ for reading

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fonikx iz not da cea to reedin

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This week’s hot topic: National Standards

With school charters and national standards information due tomorrow there is much concern over the issue. The vast majority of schools will be delivering results to the Ministry. There are however, a few hundred schools from around the country which are  refusing to hand over the information.

Whether you are of the opinion that National Standards will raise achievement across the country and add in a layer of accountability that was lacking. Or think that National Standards endangers the flexibility in the curriculum and compromises the enjoyment of education. The fact remains that this issue continues to be a 'hot button topic'. 


Related news articles:

• Teacher only days to ease NCEA standards 
• PPTA welcomes support days
  
• Schools across NZ join forces
• Government Steps Up National Standards Bullying
• Rebels to call Govt's bluff
• School Boards to deliver No to National Standards  

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