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Homogeneous ability grouping by screening test for catch-up literacy sessions

Design · All designs
Evidence · 1 claim (1 for) · 1 study (1 causal), q2 · 1 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description

Fresh Start groups pupils for small-group teaching according to scores on its own screening assessment, so that each group is homogeneous in reading ability. The report's key conclusions state that "Pupils must be grouped according to the reading scores obtained from a Fresh Start screening test" and that "Each group has a homogeneous level in terms of pupil reading abilities". FS claims the closer the homogeneity within groups, the faster individual pupils' progress, and emphasises homogeneity more than group size, while recommending small groups and optional 20-minute one-to-one sessions.

Design Implications

Context

Requirements

  • An initial screening test of phonics and simple word recognition conducted individually by the teacher
  • Re-grouping after the entry test so pupils share modules or reading age

Constraints

  • The homogeneity claim is the programme developer's assertion reported in the teacher's guide, not a finding tested in this trial

Target Learners

  • Low-attaining secondary readers in catch-up groups

Learning Goals

  • Reading accuracy and fluency through level-matched phonics instruction

Claims

  • Fresh Start Phonics Catch Up Programme

Examples

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Key Sources

  • Stephen Gorard, Nadia Siddiqui, Beng Huat See. (2015). Fresh Start Evaluation Report and Executive Summary. Education Endowment Foundation. https://www.educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk
Page metadata
Field Value
type design
id homogeneous-screening-grouped-catch-up-sets
title Homogeneous ability grouping by screening test for catch-up literacy sessions
description Fresh Start groups pupils for small-group teaching according to scores on its own screening assessment, so that each group is homogeneous in reading ability.
status review
generated by process:settle-candidates on 2026-11-01
trust unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content
sources 1 — stephen-gorard-2015

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