Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT)
At Huonville High School we have a schoolwide priority focussing on improving student reading outcomes. We use Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) to monitor and assess student reading development and grade-based inquiry cycles to track student progress. Inquiry cycles are a process where teachers identify areas for improvement, develop and implement a plan, collect, and analyse data, then adjust our practices based on the findings. This ongoing cycle promotes continuous improvement and enhances both teaching and student learning.
All students have recently participated in their final inquiry cycle. Students engaged in reading lessons focussed on identifying explicit information in text. Pre and post tests showed 84% of our students made considerable gains in demonstrating their understanding of specific reading skills and improved by one or more levels. This was a wonderful schoolwide achievement, and we are thrilled to see such incredible gains in our student learning.
To further support your child in developing their reading skills from home you may wish to read a news article, story, or even a chapter of a book with your child and have a go at the following:
- Ask questions about the character or what key events happened. Encourage your child to look back at the text to find specific answers.
- Ask your child to highlight or underline the main ideas, words or phrases.
- Ask your child to explain the who, what, when, where and why of the text.
Please contact Christie Gumley or your child’s Grade Coordinator if you would like further information.