ABSTRACT
In 1997 the government launched the National Literacy Strategy which has as its aim that, by 2000, 80 per cent of all 11-year-olds will reach the standards expected of their age (i.e. Level 4) in the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum tests. This follows analyses of literacy standards in English which suggested a ‘long tail of underachievement’. The National Literacy Strategy Framework and the structure of the Literacy Hour address what is to be taught and how. Within this major initiative there are likely to be some children who, in the short term at least, find it hard to catch on to reading and writing. The interventions studied here are intended to offer help to such children. This evaluation, which is of international significance, offers evidence as to their effectiveness.
