Anne Bayetto, Lecturer in Education at Flinders University, has examined the data collected during the Stage 2 study. The Words Children Write—beyond the early years: Summary Report of the Oxford Wordlist, Stage 2 Research Study is Ms Bayetto’s academic analysis of the results of the research.

Stage 1 of the Oxford Wordlist study was conducted by Oxford University Press (OUP) in 2007 and resulted in the release of
the Oxford Wordlist —the 307 most frequently used words in
the writing of students in their first three years of school.

In 2009, OUP conducted Stage 2 of the study: an investigation
of high frequency words in Years 3 and 4 students’ writing development. The aim of Stage 2 study was to once again
provide primary educators with a contemporary wordlist, based
on rigorous research. The result is the Oxford Wordlist Plus —
the 404 most commonly used words for students in Years 3 and 4.

The summary provides educators with:

• An overview of the Stage 2 Oxford Wordlist study, including a description of the data collection and entry process
• A discussion of the results according to the profiles of the students in the study and according to their interests inside and outside of school
• Commentary on the differences in word choice between early years writers and Years 3 and 4 writers
• Words unique to students from each of the studies
• Implications for educators

By considering the implications of this research and assisted
by the Oxford Wordlist Interactive Tool, educators can be assured
that they are providing contemporary and relevant wordlists inclusive of all Australian students.