Professional learning

Implementing the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check professional learning is available to support teachers to implement the assessment. This online self-paced PL also assists teachers to interpret information to support planning for learning.

Checklist

The administration checklist (PDF, 185KB) (staff only) will help department schools to track and complete key actions for administering the assessment.

Assessment guide and student materials

The 'Assessment guide and student materials' document supports teachers to administer the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check and contains the materials to be used with students when administering the Check.

A printed version of the document will be delivered to all department schools during Week 1, Term 3.

A PDF copy of the Assessment guide and student materials (PDF 1.53MB) (staff only) is available for download if required (department schools only).

'How to' preparation and pronunciation videos

A short preparation video 'How to navigate the online assessment' (staff only) supports teachers to familiarise themselves with the online tool.

The pronunciation video (staff only) includes the acceptable pronunciations for the words in the 2023 Year 1 Phonics Screening Check.

Online tool

Teachers use the online tool to enter student responses. The online tool is available during Term 3 via ALAN.

Visit the ALAN support website for help using the online tool.

The offline recording sheet may only be used in specific circumstances. A copy of the sheet is available in the assessment guide and students materials document.

Vision impaired student materials requests

Large print and Braille versions of the assessment are available for students who already access Braille and Large Print Services and who are supported by an itinerant support teacher vision.

Complete the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check - Request for alternate format student materials order form and email to Braille and Large Print Services no later than Week 1 Term 3.

Information for parents and carers

Information for parents and carers (PDF 313KB) (staff only) outlines key information for parents and carers.

A message for parents and carers (DOCX 92.5KB) (staff only) may be tailored for use in school newsletters or other school communications.

Support

• The Year 1 Phonics Screening Check web page includes information on the purpose of the assessment.
• The Phonics web page includes teaching resources to use in the classroom.
• Effective reading: Phonics (eLearning) provides teachers with an opportunity to explore the practical application of the evidence-based teaching of reading.
• The Literacy and numeracy professional learning web page has more professional learning opportunities looking at practical application of evidence-based teaching of reading.
• email phonicschecknsw@det.nsw.edu.au