Professor Greg Brooks critiques the government’s proposed decoding test for 6 year olds

Professor Greg Brooks, a former President and honorary life member of UKLA, has produced a paper criticising aspects of the governments proposed phonics test for 6 year olds. Professor Brooks’ views are particularly important as his research work is cited in the recent Department for Education White Paper as justification for the test.Professor Brooks is concerned about the high stakes nature of the test, the resultant complex procedures that would need to be put into place and the limited information about reading progress it would give parents. A positive alternative proposal is suggested.