The Telegraph – Dirk Foch
“A study examining literacy progression across the UK recently hit the headlines by comparing, for the first time, improvements in reading between students in the four home nations. However, take a look behind the headlines and you’ll see a clear link in the research between young people’s literacy progression, and the amount of time they spend reading appropriately challenging books. I can tell what you are thinking: “Isn’t it obvious that there is a correlation between literacy improvements and the amount of time spent reading?” In many respects yes, it is obvious. However, for various reasons, too few schools are able to find enough time in the day to build dedicated reading time into the academic timetable. While many independent schools do factor in the time, a recent survey of young people found that, overall, just half of six to eight-year-olds, 25 per cent of 12 to 14-year-olds, and 11 per cent of 15 to 17-year-olds, get the opportunity to read for pleasure during the school day.”(more)