The Conservatives have set out plans which they say will ensure children can read by the age of six.
The Conservatives have set out plans which they say will ensure children can read by the age of six.
Shadow schools secretary Michael Gove said the Key Stage 1 exam in English for six and seven-year-olds should be replaced with a standard reading test.
Shadow schools secretary Michael Gove said the Key Stage 1 exam in English for six and seven-year-olds should be replaced with a standard reading test.
Other measures are also due to be outlined in an attempt to narrow the attainment gap between advantaged and disadvantaged children in England.
Other measures are also due to be outlined in an attempt to narrow the attainment gap between advantaged and disadvantaged children in England.
Schools Secretary Ed Balls said the plans were hastily cobbled together.
Schools Secretary Ed Balls said the plans were hastily cobbled together.
He said the opposition were either calling for measures the government are already pursuing or were looking to turn back the clock.
He said the opposition were either calling for measures the government are already pursuing or were looking to turn back the clock.
A key factor in the Tory plans involves extending the use of "synthetic phonics", which focuses on teaching the sounds which make up words.
A key factor in the Tory plans involves extending the use of "synthetic phonics", which focuses on teaching the sounds which make up words.
In an article in the Sunday Times, Mr Gove said: "At the age of six, a child should have learned to read".
In an article in the Sunday Times, Mr Gove said: "At the age of six, a child should have learned to read".
He also said that "eradicating the plague of reading failure" would be the bedrock of further improvements in educational achievement.
He also said that "eradicating the plague of reading failure" would be the bedrock of further improvements in educational achievement.
Tory leader David Cameron will spell out the party's education policy with the publication of a paper on Tuesday.
Tory leader David Cameron will spell out the party's education policy with the publication of a paper on Tuesday.
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