The Gillard Government is investing a further $2.6 million in a new agreement with the ACT Government to help boost literacy and numeracy results in schools.

School Education Minister Peter Garrett welcomed the decision by the ACT Government to participate in the Improving Literacy and Numeracy National Partnership and encouraged other states and territories to sign up soon so their students can also reap the benefits.

“More than 12,000 students in 26 ACT schools benefited from their participation in the original Smarter Schools Literacy and Numeracy National Partnership,” Mr Garrett said.

“This new funding will build on successful strategies undertaken through the previous National Partnership, which ran from 2008 to 2012.”

ACT Minister for Education and Training Joy Burch said NAPLAN data showed schools participating in the previous National Partnership showed an improvement in scores.

“The investment in literacy and numeracy is having a real and positive impact,” Ms Burch said.

“In participating ACT schools, the percentage of students in the bottom two bands for Grade 5 numeracy reduced from 25 per cent in 2008 to 11 per cent in 2011.”

National Partnership funding can be used by schools in a number of ways, including:

• dedicated literacy and numeracy coaches
• professional development for teachers
• improving literacy learning in the early years
• tailored teaching approaches to lift literacy and numeracy achievement.

Mr Garrett and Ms Burch visited Charnwood-Dunlop School today to talk with new students, parents and teachers about how Gillard Government investments have assisted the school.

The school caters for preschool to year 6 students with 22 per cent of students coming from a non-English speaking background. It received extra funding as a Low SES National Partnership school in 2011 and also received $2.1 million under the Building the Education Revolution for a multi-purpose building and upgrade to facilities.

“It’s great to see how additional investment can help schools access extra resources and services that can improve educational outcomes for students,” Mr Garrett said.

“Each state that signs up to the new Improving Literacy and Numeracy National Partnership will be able to continue to build on results.

“Literacy and numeracy are foundation skills which are critical to success in education and employment, and for people to fully contribute to a strong economy and prosperous future for Australia in the Asian century,” Mr Garrett said.

“That’s why we are prepared to invest an additional $243 million nationally for the 2013 school year, with each state and territory to benefit as they sign-up to the new agreement.

“And it’s why the Government is determined to work with the states and territories on the new National Plan for School Improvement to ensure that every Australian child has access to a world-class education, and that those students who need additional assistance get support.”

For more information, visit http://deewr.gov.au/literacy-and-numeracy-schools