Still in stages 1 or 2. When students keep making errors in Stages 1 & 2, can teachers still progress them on?

The percentage converter in the PLD mammals outlines acceptable error margins:

• Stage 1: Students are permitted to make up to two errors per target. The converter provides cut-off scores such as 60% (Targets 2 & 3), 71% (Target 2), and 77% (Target 4). These do not suggest a student needs to be held at that level for a full term - typically, a week or two of consolidation is sufficient before progressing.

• Stages 2 - 6: Students are permitted to make up to four errors per stage. A score of around 75% indicates that a student may be ready to progress after a short period of review.

From a Science of Reading perspective, students benefit from working within their zone of proximal development. If a student is still showing some Stage 1 errors, for example scoring 66% or 77%, but is already achieving 40% or more in Stage 2, this indicates they may be ready to move forward. Holding them back too long can hinder growth and engagement.

A common oversight is failing to “look right” on the tracking sheet - teachers may focus on where a student dips below 80% without noticing stronger performance in later stages. This often leads to students being placed at levels below where they are actually capable of working. 

For the most accurate guidance, we recommend booking a Support Session and sharing your Tracking Sheets and sample work, so our consultants can provide tailored advice.

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Updated on: 23/06/2025