In response to concerns that underprivileged children are dropping out of secondary school early, the government intends to include an obligatory reading test for year 8 students.

Since the SATs for 14-year-olds were discontinued in 2008, the implementation of the check would be the first mandatory testing for students in key stage 3. It would require students in England to take a national exam for seven of their fourteen years of education.

Although plans are still being finalised, we understand that the test will be given at the conclusion of year 8 and that ministers hope to implement it starting in the 2028–2029 school year.

Similar to the phonics check, school data will only be available nationally, but the government and Ofsted will have access to it.

It is also acknowledged that an early inspection or intervention by the Department of Education’s regional groups or improvement teams would not be triggered by a school’s test results.

Fears about impoverished students being held back

Concerns that low reading proficiency is preventing students from accessing the curriculum in other disciplines have led to the implementation of the policy.

Ministers are especially concerned about students’ disengagement in their initial years of secondary school, especially among the underprivileged.

Concerns have also been raised about the fact that many students fail their GCSE English after leaving primary school with poor reading skills.

In their SAT tests this year, 25% of sixth-grade students fell short of the government’s required reading level.

Nearly 30% of GCSE students received an English mark below 4, which the government considers to be a “standard pass.”

Since 2009, there has been no official measurement of progress between key stage 2 and key stage 3. According to a 2011 Department for Education study, students who qualify for free school meals “make less progress during key stage 3.”

The progress metrics were “often useful in identifying pupils who were at risk of making poor progress to key stage 4,” according to Dave Thomson of FFT Education Datalab.

“However, schools will probably be aware of these students regardless,” he continued.

Concerns regarding test time

But there are also concerns about the government’s intentions to implement the tests in year 8.

It is recognised that ministers wish to give time for the implementation of support prior to the commencement of critical stage 4.

However, it was “surprising that a child would have a reading assessment less than two years after they’ve had one at key stage 2,” according to Geoff Barton, a former English teacher and former ASCL general secretary who chaired the recent Oracy Commission.

SEND plans are causing concerns

As part of the white paper, ministers have also committed to outlining their intentions for SEND reform.

In a report released last week, the education select committee called for parents to be “fully engaged” in a “active and meaningful” manner. Parents of children with SEND are already criticising the government after it was revealed that EHCPs would be eliminated.

Following the release of the white paper, ministers are anticipated to release a consultation on the SEND proposals; discussions are still going on regarding whether or not further information should be reserved for that time.

What are your thoughts on these tests?