July 2010     A new literacy and numeracy strategy was released today to help boost education outcomes for Territory students.  Department of Education and Training Chief Executive, Gary Barnes, said Prioritising Literacy and Numeracy: A strategy to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes 2010-2012 was developed in consultation with DET’s new Literacy and Numeracy Taskforce.

“We are delivering this new strategy to help all Territory students improve their reading, writing and numeracy skills,” Mr Barnes said.  “They are the keys to children developing to their full potential and achieving good educational outcomes.

“To support the work teachers are already doing Territory-wide, this new strategy will ensure children leave school with the literacy and numeracy skills they need for life.  The literacy and numeracy strategy 2010-2012 requires schools to look at their current practices against some common criteria, and teachers to look at students’ progress against new literacy and numeracy targets in ‘continua’ which detail what stages students should reach in what year,” Mr Barnes said.

The continua will cover students from Transition to Year 9 (T to 9).  At the end of every school year, not just in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, when national testing occurs, a student’s progress will be measured against it.

“Schools and teachers will be supported to assist students who are behind where they need to be, to get them back on track,” Mr Barnes said.  "Strategies to do this will take into account the unique character of the Territory’s school-aged population and the remote and very remote nature of one-third of our schools."

“Principals will be required, especially in remote areas, to work with their communities to support families and children in the years prior to formal schooling.”

The Families As First Teachers initiative is designed to complement the new strategy in this way.

DET will work with non-government schools to ensure that they can be involved in the strategy and deliver improved outcomes for their students as well.

Implementation will begin from Term 3, 2010, with very remote schools being the initial focus for 12 months before the strategy is implemented Territory-wide.

From information provided by the NT Department of Education and Training, July 1, 2010.

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