Tutoring program boosts student literacy

A new personalised tutoring program has given extra support to more than 19,000 primary school students with literacy problems since it was introduced in 2007.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said the program, which is running again this year, was continuing to help students struggling with literacy in their upper primary years.

“The vast majority of students involved in this program have showed improved literacy,” Mr Welford said.

“The Upper Primary Literacy Grant was developed to give intensive tuition over two years for those students in Years 6 and 7 who do not achieve the Year 5 literacy benchmark.

“Last year the program helped more than 19,000 students gain confidence and literacy skills, and I’m sure it will be as successful this year.

“I expect that those students who sit the Year 7 national literacy tests this year will see great improvements.”

The funding is available to state and non-state schools to employ registered teachers to work in partnership with classroom teachers to plan for and work with struggling students.

“Up to $1000 is provided per student to cover the costs of providing remedial teaching support,” Mr Welford said.

“These additional teachers are used during the school day to work with the classroom teacher so that the extra tuition focuses on the literacy demands of the class program.

“This literacy program helps students begin a seamless transition from primary school to high school and leads to more effective student learning and positive experiences in adolescence.”

Mr Welford said the Upper Primary Literacy Grant supported the Government’s Literacy - the Key to Learning: Framework for Action 2006-2008.

“This framework focuses on four key elements – teacher professional development, literacy in the curriculum, student learning and leadership,” he said.

“The plan recognises that quality teaching can make the single biggest difference to students’ literacy outcomes.

“It is ensuring every classroom teacher from Prep to Year 9 has intensive training in the teaching of literacy, including the teaching of reading, grammar and spelling.

“It also recognises that literacy skills are not just the responsibility of English teachers - literacy is integral to every subject taught in schools, including mathematics, science and technology.”

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000