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# Why do the spelling placement tests not cover all the phonic concepts?

|| The teaching sequences are broader than the items within the placement screens. The screens __do not assess every concept__ within each stage. 

Why?

* PLD aim's for the testing to be relatively time efficient. If presenting 30+ concepts for each stage, the test would become LENGTHY.

* It is a small sample to orientate students to a stage.
| * Keep in mind Stage 1, 2 and 3 in the Teaching Sequence Manuals present 4 terms of teaching and Stages 4, 5 and 6 present 5 terms of teaching. This is despite an smaller group of ket concepts being presented in the placement test. 

![Placement Test Example](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/67ae980d1c7d2000/screenshot-2022-08-24-41435-pm_1m4e65k.png)

||| Lower Primary

The Year 1 & 2 Spelling Placement Screens are designed to track the development of single word spelling ability based upon PLD’s Structured Synthetic Phonics sequence. 

The information gained will:

*  highlight the areas requiring further targeted teaching 

* support teachers in grouping students

* assist in the allocation of word lists

Refer to the [Year 1 & 2 Screening & Tracking Manual ](https://pld-literacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Year-1-2-Screening-Tracking-Manual-31-05-22.pdf?utm_source=pld&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=page_downloads)for information about when to schedule these assessments. Please note that the test words will change every term. 

The tracking sheets are used to record assessment data each term.

![Tracking Sheet - Term 1 & 2 View](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/67ae980d1c7d2000/screenshot-2022-08-24-42302-pm_1ylablw.png)

| Upper Primary

The Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 Spelling Placement Screens are designed to track the development of single-word spelling based upon PLD’s Structured Synthetic Phonics sequence.

The purpose of these screens is to:

* identify skill development each term

* assist in planning targeted teaching

* support allocation of phonic-based spelling teaching and learning concepts

* place students at an appropriate level in a relatively time-efficient manner

Refer to the [Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 Screening & Tracking Manual](https://pld-literacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Year-3-6-Screening-Tracking-Manual-01-06-22.pdf?utm_source=pld&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=page_downloads)  for information about when to schedule these assessments. Please note that the test words will change every term. 

The tracking sheets are used to record assessment data each term.

|| Teaching Sequence

* The Teaching Sequence will, when students are age appropriate or advanced, present 38 weeks of teaching at each stage. 

* The placement tests will give teachers enough information to create focus groups.

![Test, Tracking & Teaching](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/67ae980d1c7d2000/screenshot-2022-08-24-43200-pm_8hlvmn.png)