By Bridie Smith
The powerful education union has ordered teachers to disobey the Victorian government’s mandate that public schools introduce structured phonics as part of an explicit teaching approach, setting up a new political flashpoint in the long-running reading wars.
The Australian Education Union’s primary and secondary councils united on Friday in a fiery statement that criticised the government’s decision to roll out a systematic synthetic phonics approach for all prep to grade 2 students.
Education Minister Ben Carroll announcing the policy change at The Age Schools Summit on Thursday.Credit: Joe Armao
The policy change – which demands all Victorian government schools teach the same type of reading lessons – in effect removes principals’ ability to choose what teaching approach to take.
The joint union statement accused Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll of showing a lack of respect for the profession and noted “with alarm” his apparent lack of understanding of the current curriculum.
“To fail to understand that explicit teaching is already occurring across classrooms every day … shows that the minister has an inadequate grasp on work already undertaken by teachers,” the statement said.
“The failure ... to properly consult on the changes announced yesterday is a wilful breach of the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022, and as such, members are advised not to take any action to implement the changes announced.”
At The Age’s Schools Summit on Thursday, Carroll announced that all government schools would employ the explicit teaching model from next year.
Schools that have not moved towards the model by then will be expected to show planning for the change over the next three years. Victoria is one of the last states and territories to adopt the change.
The union, which represents more than 50,000 teachers, principals and support staff in Victoria, criticised the government for failing to consult those on the ground.
“No other profession would be treated with the breathtaking disregard the minister has shown,” the council said in the statement.
The union’s primary and secondary councils also raised concerns that the decision would “add to the burdens currently experienced by schools” and had the potential to compound teacher shortages.
“More change, more workload, less autonomy, and less respect for the profession will simply drive more people to leave.”
The changes mean prep to grade 2 students will receive a minimum of 25 minutes of daily explicit teaching of phonics and phonemic awareness.
Carroll told The Age this week that he expected some pushback from teachers not yet willing to embrace the change.
“The reading wars aren’t quite over … I’m stepping on potentially a hand grenade, but I just believe this is so important,” he said.
How does Victoria compare?
- Victoria will implement a new teaching and learning model with explicit teaching at its core from 2025. All students from prep to grade 2 will be taught using systematic synthetic phonics approach, with a minimum 25 minutes of daily explicit teaching of phonics and phonemic awareness.
- South Australia introduced its Literacy Guarantee in 2018. All government schools are required to use the year 1 phonics screening check. SA also employs about 30 literacy coaches to work with schools to build teachers’ expertise in reading instruction.
- New South Wales mandated the year 1 phonics screening check for public schools in 2021. It also funds ‘‘decodable’’ books for all foundation students. It discontinued funding for reading programs that were not effective and updated the NSW syllabus this year to align with the evidence.
- Tasmania committed to a ‘‘minimum guarantee’’ last year that every Tasmanian primary school will teach reading according to the evidence by 2026. Tasmania will also roll out the year 1 phonics screening check.
- Western Australia has provided schools with a list of recommended phonics programs and assessments.
- The ACT Literacy and Numeracy Education Expert Panel’s final report, released in April this year, recommended system-wide reforms to implement a structured literacy approach in ACT classrooms. The minister has accepted these recommendations in principle and is now designing a four-year implementation plan to begin in 2025.
Source: Grattan Institute
Systematic synthetic phonics teaches children the sounds of the English language and the letter combinations that make them. It is different to balanced literacy, which includes some phonics, but also uses strategies to guess words based on pictures and context.
Explicit instruction promotes direct teaching over student-led or inquiry-based learning, breaking down new concepts into smaller steps and modelling each step before progression. The method is underpinned by an evidence-based, scientific understanding of how students learn.
Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools in February adopted direct instruction for its 300 schools.
Balanced literacy has been used by most primary schools and university education faculties since the 1970s. Advocates argue phonics overemphasises one aspect of the reading process.
A government spokesperson said in a statement that the reforms had been widely welcomed by the community, schools and school leaders, adding that the move was backed by strong research and evidence.
The spokesperson said explicit teaching already existed in many Victorian schools.
“The Department of Education will provide full support for schools that need to adjust their practices by providing ready-to-use lesson plans and professional learning.”
The government has allocated $36.9 million to support a revision of the curriculum and the new reading position. This includes funding for 750 new explicit teaching lesson plans and other professional learning.
Opposition education spokesperson Jess Wilson said Carroll now faced the challenge of resolving the issue.
“This is a test of the minister’s leadership and commitment to improving student outcomes,” Wilson said.
“The minister needs to explain how he intends to ensure the policy is implemented in full in Victorian classrooms despite the AEU calling on their members to disregard the instruction.”
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