National initiatives for literacy

Abstract

This paper finds strong evidence to support a national initiative on literacy and for an emphasis on Key Stages 1 and 2. However, the National Literacy Strategy neglects the needs of a substantial population of poor readers and its proposals are prescriptive. Significant weaknesses also lie in its failure to address the structural flaws inherited from the previous government's policies. Target-setting in particular builds upon those flawed foundations. Similarly unaddressed hindrances to progress lie in the implied teaching model enshrined in the Code of Practice and in the Code's failure to have delivered a process for statementing that is rapid, efficient and consistent across LEAs.