…and literacy and numeracy
Australia’s schools are delivering good literacy and numeracy results for most students, but there is scope for improvement.
Literacy and numeracy achievement is the single most influential factor in Year 9 students staying on to complete Year 12 and the strongest predictor of tertiary entrance performance.
Most Australian 15 year olds perform well in international comparisons of literacy and numeracy, ranking 4th in reading and 8th in maths in standardised OECD testing.
Notwithstanding these good results, there is scope for improvement. In 2005, a total of around 10 per cent of students in Years 3, 5 and 7 did not reach the minimum level of achievement expected in reading, writing and numeracy testing by State and Territory governments.
Literacy and numeracy skills are critical for a student’s ongoing learning and their ability to access employment opportunities. Realising Our Potential includes $457 million over four years to assist students who do not meet the minimum standards for literacy and numeracy.
From 1 January 2008, a $700 voucher will be provided to parents whose children do not achieve current literacy or numeracy benchmarks in Years 3, 5 and 7. The vouchers will be able to be used by parents to fund tutoring to help their children catch up.
From 1 January 2009 (following the introduction of national literacy and numeracy tests in 2008) vouchers will be extended to eligible students in Year 9.
This will guarantee that all children who need help can get it. These vouchers will particularly benefit indigenous students who have lower literacy and numeracy outcomes on average compared to their non-indigenous peers.
In addition to this direct support to parents, the Government will provide $53 million over four years to directly reward schools that make significant improvements in the literacy and numeracy performance of their students. Schools will be able to apply to receive up to $50,000 in any year.
Proportion of a cohort of students achieving literacy and numeracy benchmarks, 2001-2005
Realising Our Potential 12