New phonics test: PV media comment

The Age reports today on a new statewide phonics test for Year 1 students, which is much faster to complete than the previously-used test.

According to the article:

The new 10-minute assessment, part of the state’s move toward an “explicit instruction” model of literacy learning, will replace the contentious English Online Interview (EOI), which the state government scrapped in December. The EOI, the subject of much criticism over the years from both the profession and academia, is still available for schools to use this year, but from 2026, the grade 1 phonics check will be mandatory in all government schools. Both the EOI and the phonics checks are one-on-one between a teacher and a student, but the old assessment took up to 40 minutes to administer.

Parents Victoria CEO Gail McHardy is quoted in the article:

Gail McHardy, the head of Parents Victoria, said it was vital the Department of Education communicated with schools and parents before it implemented changes. “[The department] need to seize the opportunities for interaction and have those conversations and give parents that kind of key information about what to expect during a transition year and next year,” McHardy said.

Gail McHardy also made the following points in comments supplied to the Age:

• It is key for the Department to support schools with the communication advice for parents ahead of any changes being made mandatory next year.
• Equipping the schools with resources, like the “Understanding phonics guide for parents” would enable opportunities for interaction and conversations with families.  Providing the key information about what to expect during a transition year and next year then addresses any potential parent questions or expectations.
• Working together is better; giving parents tips and tools on how they can help their children at home reinforces the learning at school too.

Read the Age article (subscription only)