The Reading,
Writing, and Mathematics Proposals pool
The RWMP pool is a contestable fund to help schools with the set-up costs of programmes for students in years 1 to 8 who are making slow progress in reading, writing, and/or mathematics.
Funding of $4.86 million per year is available. Schools can apply
to the pool for a maximum of two years of funding. In the four RWMP
pool application rounds to date, over 800 schools have received funding
for a wide variety of literacy and numeracy programmes. Applicants
have ranged from a 30-school cluster in the far north to an individual
school in Bluff, with proposals varying in scope from funding for
whole-school professional development support and mentoring to providing
a set of maths backpacks.
The pool gives schools an opportunity to target specific needs. The challenge for each school is to sustain any gains in the long term. In most cases, clear improvement in student achievement becomes an ongoing focus in the school's strategic planning.
Accessing
pool funding
The RWMP pool is advertised annually in the Education Gazette.
Round 5 will be advertised before 31 October 2002. The Report of the
Literacy Taskforce (page 29) recommended the following criteria for
the distribution of funds:
|
Proposals must:
- provide evidence that the needs of the target group have been clearly identified;
- provide a rationale for how the programme will meet the needs that have been identified;
- describe how the programme reflects best practice;
- describe how the programme will further develop teacher expertise;
- describe how the programme will be sustained (bearing in mind that schools will be eligible for funding for a maximum of two years);
- provide evidence of the commitment and involvement of the parents and the community.
|
For direct queries about the pool, contact Denise Arnerich, the Proposals Pool
Manager, phone: (04) 463 8023, fax: (04) 463 8051, or email: denise.arnerich@minedu.govt.nz
Stories
and case studies
A variety of stories and case studies from pool-funded schools can
be viewed in the Literacy and Numeracy community on TKI at www.tki.org.nz/r/literacy_numeracy/index_e.php
The Ministry will continue to add more examples of effective practice from the pool-funded schools to this growing resource.
| A
Kaipara success story
A literacy project involving ten schools in the Kaipara area
offers one example of a successful model for professional growth.
In this pool-funded programme, an adviser guided a programme
of seminars, observations, and reflective practice. Six outstanding
teachers have become cluster literacy leaders, each working
with two schools. Each school has also designated a lead literacy
teacher. The six literacy leaders in the cluster focus on literacy
and on ways of working with others. They:
- observe exemplary practice and analyse the emotional, physical, and intellectual environment in the classroom;
- visit their schools twice a term, reporting back in detail;
- arrange days for teachers to observe good practice being carried out at their own level;
- contribute to seminars for lead literacy teachers and principals that help build whole-school commitment.
The results show significant improvements for students and teachers. The whole-school approach leads to consistent teaching, detailed planning, and an early response to individual students' needs. This professional development model is designed to be self-sustaining. It builds on collegiality, empowers teachers, and breaks down the isolation felt by individual teachers and schools.
|
Previous | Next | Index | Top
|
