Implementing PLD’s SSP in Secondary School Literacy Support
Supporting Students With Primary School Literacy Levels
Secondary and middle schools have a proportion of students with primary school literacy levels. These students possess a significant barrier accessing and participating in the middle school and secondary school curriculum. Beyond the schooling years, literacy skills will have a significant impact on their social participation, work opportunities, quality of life and self-esteem. To maximise literacy outcomes, structured synthetic phonics (SSP) programs and interventions are recommended.
While PLD’s structured synthetic phonics range of materials has been designed for primary schools, PLD can be used successfully with middle school and secondary school students in the context of literacy support.
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- It is recommended that schools use standardised testing measures (i.e. a spelling age and reading age) to identify students operating with delayed and primary school literacy levels.
- PLD does not sell standardized testing materials. It is recommended that schools contact ACER. (https://shop.acer.edu.au/contact/) ACER has education consultants available to provide information on specific tests. The consultants are available on the following email: sales@acer.org or on the toll-free number: 1800 338 402.
PLD recommends that rather than completing all online courses, teaching and support staff only view the courses relevant to their year level. At least 2 ½ hours of viewing time is required. The courses can be revisited within the school year.
- Secondary literacy support classes are advised ‘Synthetic Phonics and Beyond’ which outlines PLD’s Stages 1-6.
- If more appropriate ‘Synthetic Phonics in the Junior Primary’ focuses mainly on PLD’s stages 1, 2 and 3.
- However, should the classes also have students scoring 0-20% on CVC, reading and spelling the recommended course is ‘Teaching Students Who Are Unable to Read. Spell & Write’
The way forward to maximise functional literacy skills is to go back to the point of difficulty and build skills from that point. The PLD reading and spelling placement tests will establish the stages the students are operating at.
The middle and secondary support classes are advised to utilise the placement tests outlined in the Year 3, 4, 5 and 6-manuals.
- The spelling placement tests (which cover PLD’s stages 1-6) are located on pages 19-16.
- The reading placement tests (which cover PLD’s stages 1-6 and will identify the students who still require decodable reading material) are located on pages 23-26.
- If students are operating at a pre-literacy (or pre-CVC level) present the subtests in the red box on pages 27-29.
The placement tests will identify the PLD stages of operation and the required starter packs:
- Click here to register for the PLD Tracking Sheets.
- Follow the instructions and set up a tab for each literacy support class. For complex students individual profiling sheets also provided as an option.
- Refer to the screening step above. Teachers will be required to enter test results for each student onto the PLD Tracking sheets.
- Typically PLD recommends three targeted teaching groups are established, with the test results. It is essential that teaching staff, follow the entry of test scores, with the viewing of the relevant PLD tracking sheet videos.
- Tracking sheets can then be shared with the PLD office for support.
All students entering middle and secondary school with literacy delays will be different.
- The secondary support classes, for the purpose of quoting, will be required to either estimate the functional literacy levels within the support classes or complete the placement tests outlined above.
- Should the secondary classes require programs for students that are not yet reading, spelling and writing (i.e. pre-stage 1), these materials can also be factored into the quote.
By completing the form below, schools new to PLD can request implementation costs for training and essential programs. A quote will be forwarded to the email supplied (typically within 48 hours). A 30-minute consult will follow to discuss and refine the quote to suit the school’s requirements.
