Scottish district on track to eradicate pupil illiteracy

A remarkable experiment in eradicating pupil illiteracy in West Dunbartonshire, a local authority in Scotland, has proved so successful that it is being held up as a model for education authorities across the world. In 1997, Tommy MacKay, the educational psychologist who pioneered the program, persuaded the West Dunbartonshire council to commit itself to eradicating pupil illiteracy in its schools within a decade. This year, it is on track to reach its target, becoming what is thought to be the first local authority in the world to do so. Read about its success using synthetic phonics at Guardian Unlimited.