Phonics and Early Reading Assessment (PERA) Specimen Set

Summary:

The Phonics and Early Reading Assessment (PERA) is matched to the Letters & Sounds framework and the requirements of the Year 1 'phonics screen' - statutory from summer 2012 - as well as to the teaching and assessment needs of schools both before and after the statutory test. PERA uses words and non-words (or pseudo-words) to assess both phonic knowledge and use of phonics for reading, plus reading accuracy and comprehension. It also includes an informal pre-phonics assessment to help assess the earliest stages of reading.

PERA Test 1, for use at the end of Reception and the first half of Year 1 (i.e. during the first four terms in school), covers phases 2-4 and into 5 of Letters & Sounds and provides detailed diagnostic information to inform teaching in the Foundation Stage.

PERA Test 2 assesses phases 3-5 of Letters & Sounds, making it ideal for familiarisation purposes before the 'phonics screen' in the Year 1 summer term. It also provides a framework for re-testing, to ensure progress is monitored and maintained throughout Year 2.

These child-friendly tests are presented individually and orally, using illustrated, full-colour reusable cards. Parallel forms A & B allow upto four separate assessments to inform individual teaching and monitor each pupil's progress from the Foundation Stage and into Key Stage 1. Each test takes about 10 minutes per child. The teacher notes the child's responses on a record sheet that is purpose-designed for easy marking (including miscue analysis) and diagnostic profiling. The manual provides extensive guidance for sharply focused teaching follow-up.  

PERA has been standardised on over 3500 pupils nationally to provide norms - as 'ages' and standardised scores - which are reliable and fully up to date. This Specimen Set contains the Manual, complete sets of the Test Cards and one copy of each of the four Pupil Record sheets.

• A purpose-designed standardised assessment which is matched to the Letters and Sounds framework and the requirements of the new Year 1 'phonics screen' (statutory from 2012).

• Provides two child-friendly tests, both with parallel forms A and B: Test 1 is for Reception and the first half of Year 1; Test 2 is for summer Year 1 and for follow-up monitoring in Year 2.

• Enables four separate, standardised assessments to inform individual teaching and monitor each pupil's progress across Key Stage 1.

• The Manual also includes an informal pre-phonics assessment, plus detailed practical guidance for 'next steps' intervention strategies.

• Standardised on over 3500 pupils, to provide norms which are reliable and fully up to date.

About the Author(s):

Colin McCarty is an experienced test developer and assessment consultant, and Kate Ruttle is Deputy Head, SENCO and Literacy Coordinator at a First school in Suffolk and an established children's reading book author/editor. Together, they developed the Progress in Reading Assessment (PiRA) series, providing termly tests for use from Reception to Year 6, and co-wrote Assessing P Scale and Level 1-2 Performance, also published by Hodder.

Readership:
Reception and Key Stage 1