Sound it out: Victorian children improve reading ‘leaps and bounds’ thanks to phonics

At Spring Parks primary school, prep students have shown remarkable improvement in reading comprehension after being taught phonics, with all achieving over 80% in their tests. Phonics, a method already widely used in nine out of ten Victoria schools ahead of the mandated implementation by 2027, has proven highly effective, with teachers reporting significant growth in students' reading skills. The principal highlights that these improvements come from a structured routine and frequent assessment, allowing educators to identify and address individual needs promptly, particularly benefiting disadvantaged pupils and non-English speakers.