4. MARYAN STREET (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
What reports, if any, has he received about improvements in literacy rates in schools?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Education) Link to this
I have released today a report on the first stage of the Literacy Professional Development Project, which shows that it is possible to lift literacy standards across all New Zealand students. The project recorded significant improvements in reading, comprehension, and writing across 85 schools over a 2-year period. Notably, the highest improvement occurred amongst students who were previously the lowest achievers. That tells us we are now gaining the tools to make significant improvements in literacy.
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
There is much debate about what would improve reading and writing amongst students, but this project shows that because teachers are creating programmes in reading and writing that are tailored to the individual needs of the student, we are seeing rapid and good progress amongst those students. That was reinforced for me today when I went to visit Hutt Intermediate School, where both the teachers and the students were overwhelmingly positive in their feedback on the project. Feedback from the teachers included them saying that every student in the class had improved, and that the kids were empowered because they had been given the tools to improve their own learning.
Hon Bill EnglishCan the Minister tell the House why it is that last year 30 percent of year 11 students in New Zealand failed National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) literacy standards?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
The reasons for that, of course, are complex, as the member knows. But one of the good things is that, for the first time last year, NCEA gave us the baseline for literacy and numeracy in the country, which I am sure he applauds. Later this year we will get the results from this year, and then we will be able to begin to build the pattern of what we are achieving in literacy and numeracy. It is another reason why the member should give up on trying to undermine the NCEA, because this has given us the information that we need.
What other support is available for teachers to further improve the literacy of New Zealand students?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
The Government currently invests around $32 million a year to lift literacy in schools. That includes the $3.8 million a year for the project that I have just outlined. We have literacy teaching assessment tools such as asTTle that give teachers good advice on how they can improve the practice of students. We also support students through reading recovery resource teachers, and we are involved in the professional development of teachers. This is an area that is showing some real gains.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
What progress has been made in achieving the recommendations from the 2000 Education Review Office report Literacy Education in Kura Kaupapa Māori, particularly in the production of the Ministry of Education bilingual learning resources?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
Some progress, I think, is the answer, but not enough. It is one of the areas that we will be spending a lot more time on this year.