The Education Department will trial a new literacy assessment tool in eight primary schools this September.
Minister Daphne Caine revealed the trial during a committee hearing on dyslexia support.
The announcement followed criticism that support for students with literacy challenges varies across schools.
Mrs Caine said: “The department is currently liaising with several providers to pilot a literacy profiling tool, which will provide ongoing monitoring in primary schools and potentially into secondary schools.”
Terminology
The hearing exposed divisions over terminology, with the department favouring “literacy difficulties” over “dyslexia.”
Principal Educational Psychologist Dr. Jonny Fee defended the approach, citing research: “There’s no convincing evidence that if a child with dyslexia is not labelled as dyslexic but receives full support for their reading difficulty, that the child will do any worse.”
However Mrs Caine acknowledged the emotional stakes: “We know the term ‘dyslexic’ is of positive emotional value for some, but it’s not the case for all learners.”
Data gaps were also scrutinised as Dr Fee admitted current systems undercount needs.
Pressed on inconsistent support during the transition to secondary school, Dr Fee conceded: “Primary systems are very different to secondary systems. There are different challenges within that system.”
You can see the full hearing here:
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