Literacy effectiveness

Literacy Development Officers are working with schools to help them make informed decisions about improving literacy achievement

The Ministry of Education has appointed 13 literacy development officers (LDOs) to assist schools examine the effectiveness of their literacy programmes and make informed, evidence-based decisions focused on improving literacy achievement for all students.

The LDOs are working with up to 200 identified primary schools each year, assisting them to analyse literacy data and review their literacy goals and plans. They are assisting where necessary to clarify expectations, guide decisions on the types of support needed to improve and sustain literacy achievement, and ensuring that effective classroom literacy practices are prioritised.

Anne Alkema, Manager: Literacy, Numeracy and Assessment, says while many schools are already implementing effective literacy programmes there is currently no way of ensuring that schools are attending to the literacy needs of all students, especially those groups of students identified as underachieving.

It is expected that the LDO initiative will be particularly beneficial for Maori, Pasifika and non-English speaking background (NESB) students, many of whom require more intensive support.

"We know that many schools need more help in analysing the data they collect and making informed decisions about what needs to happen as a result of that data, so we are re-channelling resources into that up-front decision-making," says Denise Arnerich, primary literacy senior advisor.

– Extract from www.edgazette.govt.nz/articles/show_articles.php?id=6455

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