A study carried out by a team of researchers from the CNRS and Aix-Marseille University 1, in collaboration with the Académie de Martinique, sheds light on a reality that has already been extensively documented by reports such as that of the CESE.a reality that has already been widely documented in reports, notably that of the CESE in 2024, but very little studied from a scientific perspective. Nearly half the children in Martinique are at risk of reading delays, with errors three times more frequent than those of their peers in France. The study was published on May 22 in the International Journal of Educational Development
The study also reveals a correlation between these initial results and the low exposure of pupils in the French overseas territories to the written word and reading in their family environment2
The scientists used the DEM-test (Dénomination de chiffres) on 399 Martinican pupils aged 6 to 11. This test measures the speed and accuracy of visual exploration, without depending on phonetic abilities. They then assessed their reading skills with the Alouette test, which involves reading aloud a deliberately complex text, in order to mobilize different reading strategies. Quick and easy to set up, the DEM-test could become a means of screening at-risk pupils
On the basis of scientific research and an internal evaluation, the Martinique education authority has developed support systems for students and teachers in schools.based on scientific research and an internal evaluation, the Martinique education authority has developed a number of schemes to support pupils and teachers in their efforts to improve their command of French from elementary school onwards, which have already borne fruit. This is particularly true of the 100% lecteurs program, which aims to prevent illiteracy, and the j’enseigne au CP training program, which aims to strengthen teachers’ expertise in this strategic class.
- 1 Working at the "Laboratoire parole et langage (Aix-Marseille Université/CNRS)" and the "Centre de recherche en psychologie et neurosciences (Aix-Marseille Université/CNRS)".
- 2 Scientists attribute this low exposure to a lack of financial resources and to differences between the language of schooling, French, and the mother tongue, Creole.
Children in French overseas departments are at a 3-fold increased risk of developing reading problems. Ducrot, S., Persia-Leibnitz, L., Vernet, M., Brossette, B., Prugnières, C., & Grainger, J. International Journal of Educational Development , 115 , May xx, 2025
DOI : 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2025.103277
