§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken since 1979, and what initiatives he intends to take, to improve reading ability in the schools of Wales.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsSince 1979 the Department has supported a number of surveys and research into reading ability. Since 1983 all reports by Her Majesty's Inspectorate have been published which include, for individual schools, an assessment of reading. One of the aims of the national curriculum is to improve reading standards. The programmes of study for both English and Welsh will lead to attainment targets in reading.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales from which bodies he receives advice on the teaching of reading in the schools in Wales.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsOur main source of advice is Her Majesty's Inspectorate but we also receive reports on reading from research projects specifically funded by the Welsh Office.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how prevalent in schools in Wales is the look-say technique of the teaching of reading; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsThe look and say technique is used in many schools but most infants' teachers are eclectic in their teaching of reading and use the approach which best meets the individual child's needs. It is unusual to find schools exclusively committed to one method of teaching children to read.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any plans to assess the level of reading ability in schools in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsAssessment is an integral part of the national curriculum and the progamme of study for both Welsh and English will lead to an assessment of a pupil's reading ability. Additionally, HM inspectorate will continue to monitor and assess pupils' attainments in reading throughout primary schooling as part of their normal inspection programme.
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§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent assessment he has made of the standard of reading ability in(a) infant schools and (b) primary schools in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsIn recent years, about 40 Her Majesty's inspectorate reports on individual schools have been published annually and there have also been a number of schools sampled in surveys.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales by what means he has measured reading ability in the schools of Wales.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsI refer the hon. Gentleman to my replies to him early today.