Consultations
Evaluations
Pilot projects
Surveys
Sure Start language measure
One of the objectives of Sure Start is to improve children’s ability to learn. The corresponding PSA target focuses on speech and language skills because appropriately developed language skills are vital for learning and act as a good proxy for the objective. The new target (2003/4 – 2005/6) is
An increase in the proportion of children having normal levels of communication, language and literacy at the end of the Foundation Stage and an increase in the proportion of young children with satisfactory speech and language development at age 2 years.
Sure Start is required to measure progress toward the PSA target annually.
The SSLM is a tool designed specifically to help Sure Start Local Programmes (SSLP’s) measure changes in the language skills of 2 year olds in their communities in order to help assess how far they are progressing towards meeting the SSU’s targets and objectives in this area. The SSLM is a simple parental report tool that can be performed by a wide range of Sure Start team workers. The information is collected via an interview between the Sure Start Worker and the parent.
Materials for implementing the SSLM
- Sure Start Language Measure Data collection guidelines 2005-2006 - Monitoring language development of two year olds.
- Sure Start Language Measure 2005-2006 Excel Spreadsheet for data summary
Publications
- The Sure Start Language Measure Standardisation Study - (September 2005)
- The third implementation of the Sure Start Language Measure - (March 2005)
- The second implementation of the Sure Start Language Measure - (January 2004)
- The first implementation of the Sure Start Language Measure - (September 2002)
- Promoting Speech and Language Development - Guidance for Sure Start programmes (2001)
