← Return to Blogs

Using Pupil-Free Days to Make a Start to the Implementation of PLD

Published by on Print print

Many schools use the pupil-free days at the end (or at the beginning) of the school year as an opportunity to launch PLD’s implementation. Typically, half a day is sufficient time for staff to familiarise themselves with PLD’s programs, screening, downloadable manuals, online courses, and processing of the testing. Naturally, questions will arise, but the allocation of a half-day is sufficient to make a start. Schools that allocate a proportion of their available pupil-free time ensures teachers are ready to start the year with clarity on the whole school teaching, testing, and tracking of student progress. This positive start to the year sets up schools to commence the year well.

Step 1: Register for & set up the PLD Tracking Sheets.

  • Click here to register for the PLD Tracking Sheets.
  • Set up the classes for the 2022 school year e.g. rename the tabs to denote year levels and class names ie Yr 1 Room 9, Yr 3 LA4, Yr 6J, etc and enter the class list (student names) in the correct columns.

Step 2: The participating classes will need to administer screening in the final week(s) of the school year and hand this information over to the 2022 teachers to use when they are viewing the online courses.

Early Years

  • The Term 4 Alphabet and Blending Screens are located on pages 10 & 11 in the Early Years Screening & Tracking Manual.
  • This end-of-year screening will be handed over to the 2022 Foundation teachers.

Foundation 

Year 1 & 2

  • Even though it is Term 4, the Term 1 Spelling Placement Screen will need to be presented in the last week(s) of Term 4. This is located on page 9 in the Year 1 & 2 Screening & Tracking Manual. These placement screens will be handed over to the 2022 Year 2 & 3 teachers and saves the 2022 Year 2 & 3 teachers from administering the spelling placement screen in Term 1 Week 1. This also provides Year 2 & 3 teachers with a current spelling test to view whilst completing the online course during the pupil-free day.
  • Optional: The Year 1 & 2 Early Reading Screen is located on pages 16-19  in the Year 1 & 2 Screening & Tracking Manual.

Year 3, 4 & 5

  • Even though it is Term 4, the Year 3, 4 and 5 teachers need to present the Term 1 Spelling Placement Screen located on pages 9-10 in the Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 Screening & Tracking Manual.  These placement screens will be handed over to next year’s Year 4, 5 & 6 teachers and saves them from administering the placement screen in Term 1 Week 1. This also provides Year 4, 5 & 6 teachers with a current spelling test to view whilst completing the online course during the pupil-free day.
  • Optional: For the students still in Stages 1 and 2 for spelling (or with delayed reading), the Early Reading Screen for Middle & Upper Primary Students is located on pages 23-26 in the Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 Screening & Tracking Manual.

Step 3: During the pupil-free day (in December or January), teachers view at least two hours of the relevant online course and mark and enter the 2021 end-of-year screening results into the PLD tracking sheets (referred to in Step 1).

  • Teachers enter the test scores into the tracking sheets (as per the short videos listed below in Step 4).

  • Teachers arrange their 2022 class into three targeted teaching groups (as per the short videos listed below in Step 4).

Step 4: Short videos to be viewed by teachers prior to (or immediately after) entering results into the tracking sheets.

All Class Teachers

Early Years Teachers

Foundation Teachers

Year 1 & 2 Teachers

Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 Teachers

Step 5: Once teachers have established a teaching plan for 2022 Term 1 by arranging the class into three targeted teaching groups, support & coaching from PLD can be given.

When all of the student results have been entered into the tracking sheets, the School Leader (ie Literacy Coordinator, Deputy Principal, Head of Curriculum etc) can request support through this link: https://pld-literacy.org/request-for-support-with-pld-tracking-sheets/

It is highly recommended that the school-wide tracking document be shared in a “cloud” version through the School’s IT staff. A temporary link can be sent.

PLD implementation can be launched at any stage within the school year. For other implementation plans please see:

← Return to Blogs