The Hon Julie Bishop MP - Minister for Education, Science and Training, and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues

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Media Release

Rewarding schools for success in literacy and numeracy

8 May 2007

BUDB 26/07

The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, today announced an additional $53.2 million in Australian Government funding to reward schools that have been successful in raising literacy and numeracy standards.

Eligible schools will be invited to apply directly to the Australian Government for rewards of up to $50,000 each.

It is expected that at least 300 schools per year will benefit from the scheme.

"The Australian Government wants to hear from schools that can demonstrate substantial improvement in the literacy and numeracy achievement of their students, as measured by the Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 national literacy and numeracy assessments to be introduced in 2008," Minister Bishop said.

Schools will be able to use evidence of improvement from previous state and territory literacy and numeracy tests.

"Parents are concerned about standards in schools. Employers complain of young people lacking basic literacy skills. Universities have had to offer remedial classes in English and Mathematics to bring first year students up to an acceptable level," Minister Bishop said.

"The Australian Government is committed to rewarding success and providing incentives for schools to improve outcomes for students. Schools that work hard to improve literacy and numeracy standards will receive recognition for their efforts."

The programme will be managed by the Department of Education, Science and Training. A panel of literacy and numeracy experts will assess and rank applications from schools.

The initiative will commence after the 2008 national literacy and numeracy assessment round.

Media Contacts

Minister Bishop’s Office: Tory Vidler 0414 228 727

Dept of Education, Science & Training: Virginia Cook 0412 971 323

Non-media queries:
1300 363 079

Supporting Information

Why is this important?

Parents, employers and the broader community are all concerned about standards in our schools and the need for children to have access to a quality education that includes core literacy and numeracy skills.

This initiative is consistent with the recommendation by the National Inquiry into the Teaching of Literacy that the national literacy testing programme make available information on student performance so teachers are able to plan the most effective teaching strategies.

Who will benefit?

At least 300 schools a year in the public, Catholic and independent sector. The programme will reward schools that demonstrate substantial improvement over time, as measured by the Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 national literacy and numeracy assessments.

What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?

$53.2 million. Three hundred schools a year will receive rewards of up to $50,000.

What have we done in the past?

The Australian Government makes a significant contribution to support educationally disadvantaged students through the Schools Grants element of the Literacy, Numeracy and Special Learning Needs Programme.　 Over the 2005-2008 quadrennium, the Programme will provide an estimated $2 billion to support the most educationally disadvantaged students, including students with disabilities.

When will this initiative conclude?

The initiative will conclude in 2010-11.