§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the current proportion of 11-year-olds achieving a reading age appropriate to their age; what the figure was two years ago in(a) England, (b) the north-west region and (c) Bolton; and what action she is taking to improve the reading abilities of 11-year-olds. [11032]
§ Mrs GillanNational curriculum assessment results for English encompass reading, writing, speaking and listening. In 1995, the first year of national curriculum assessment for 11-year-olds, 48 per cent. achieved the level expected for their age in tests and 56 per cent. did so in teacher assessments. In 1996, these figures had improved to 58 per cent. and 60 per cent. respectively. The first primary school performance tables will report by school and LEA the 1996 key stage 2 results including English. In 1997, the key stage 2 reading test will generate separate optional national curriculum levels and age392W standardised scores. The Government have a range of strategies to improve literacy standards, including their network of literacy centres national curriculum for initial teacher training and family literacy initiative.