The Standards of Education in schools in England from 1872

Six Standards of Education were given in the Revised code of Regulations, 1872. It should be remembered that these standards do not correspond to year groups. In Victorian times promotion was on merit, and many children did not complete all the grades.

STANDARD I

Reading
Read one of the narratives that comes after monosyllables in an elementary reading book used in the school.
Writing
Copy in manuscript handwriting a line of print, and write from dictation a few common words.
Arithmetic
Simple addition and subtraction of numbers of not more than four figures, and the multiplication table to multiplication by six.

STANDARD II

Reading
Read a short paragraph from an elementary reading book.
Writing
Write a sentence from the same book, slowly read once, and then dictated in single words.
Arithmetic
The multiplication table, and any simple rule as far as short division.

STANDARD III

Reading
Read a short paragraph from a more advanced reading book.
Writing
Write a sentence slowly dictated once by a few words at a time, from the same book.
Arithmetic
Long division and compound rules (money).

STANDARD IV

Reading
Read a few lines of poetry or prose, at the choice of the inspector.
Writing
Write a sentence slowly dictated once, by a few words at a time, from a reading book, such as is used in the first class of the school.
Arithmetic
Compound rules (common weights and measures).

STANDARD V

Reading
Read a short ordinary paragraph in a newspaper, or other modern narrative.
Writing
Another short ordinary paragraph in a newspaper, or other modern narrative, slowly dictated once by a few words at a time.
Arithmetic
Practice and bills of parcels.

STANDARD VI

Reading
Read with fluency and expression.
Writing
Write a short theme or letter, or an easy paraphrase.
Arithmetic
Proportion and fractions (vulgar and decimal).