BURNSIDE H.S. READING

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30442, 16 May 1964, Page 17

BURNSIDE H.S. READING

44 Per Cent Above Average Although the Burnside High School seems to have a better performance in reading than some others, it will ask the Education Department to consider a national survey of reading abilities and research into the causes of deficiencies. The Burnside reading tests were made on this year’s new pupils late last year before they entered the school. This was well before recent complaints were made elsewhere and before other schools began check tests. In 329 third-form pupils, Burnside found 17.3 per cent with reading ability more than four years above their actual age—in fact, these pupils had adult ability. There were 26.7 per cent one to four years above average ability for their age. Nineteen per cent were normal for the age, 31.6 per cent were one to four years below standard, and 5.4 per cent were more than four years below normal. The headmaster (Mr C. Cross) said an expert teacher came into the school two half-days a week to give remedial reading work. Mr J. S. Whiten asked whether the results had been analysed to see where good or bad readers came from and, what the causes were, and whether any further research was contemplated. Mr Cross said he had not gone into deeper detail. A tremendous number of factors were involved. However, his results were available to anyone interested.