Articles on: Literacy

Students not scoring 80%? Hold the students back? What are the options when students are not moving?

In terms of holding students back, when they are not reaching the 80% requirement, this is not always advisable.

Many schools are rigid around the 80% score. If a student scores under 80%, some teachers stop and continually target, despite not analysing the full profile and scores further along.

Situation 1: Do not just highlight/identify the first time a student scores drop below 80%. Remember to keep looking to the next columns on the right, and if well into further stages, then progress students on, despite their earlier errors.

Teacher plotting an entire group lower than is recommended

Teacher plotting a student lower than is advisable

Situation 2: What if students are borderline students, on the cusp of moving up?

Refer to the graphic below. They should not be kept back for a full term.

Students on the cusp and background factors

Situation 3: However, if students have significant diagnoses or complex backgrounds (as identified in the second tab), then their skill development can be complex.

Refer to the graphic below. Certain diagnoses will mean studnets will intermittently still produce earlier errors, even though be operating further along in the PLD sequence.

**Situation 4: **Keep in mind that for Tier 3 students, significantly behind their age-matched peers, the classroom teacher may not be able to cater for their needs alone. For this reason, the **PLD SUPPORT KIT, **is recommended:https://pld-literacy.org/product/integrated-ssp-support-kit/ In addition to the in-class process.

Three individualised 20 sessions per week.
An optional home resource is also provided.

Updated on: 23/02/2026

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