The Gillard Government is investing a further $6.8 million in a new agreement with the Tasmanian Government to help boost literacy and numeracy results in the state’s schools.

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

“More than 20,000 students in 71 Tasmanian schools benefited from their participation in the original Smarter Schools Literacy and Numeracy National Partnership,” Mr Garrett said.

"The new funding will help around 80 more schools develop strategies to improve reading, writing and maths skills, buy resources and offer further development for staff.

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

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.

“NAPLAN data shows that Tasmanian students in schools participating in the previous National Partnership showed an improvement in scores and our investment is having a real and positive impact,” Mr Garrett said.

“Grade 5 students in participating schools in Tasmania demonstrated strong improvement in numeracy with a reduction in the proportion of students in the bottom two bands from 36 per cent in 2008 to 24 per cent in 2011.

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

“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.

“That’s why we are prepared to invest an additional $243.9 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