Improving literacy and numeracy in Queensland state schools

The Queensland Government is implementing a range of programs and strategies to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes in every state school.

These initiatives, some of which are outlined below, will help us achieve our goal of being among Australia's best performing states in English, maths and science.

Read the fact sheet for parents and carers .

Below are just some of the programs.

A Flying Start for Queensland Children

Major reforms have been announced for Queensland schools, including:

Year 7 becoming the first year of high school in 2015
shared standards for all Queensland state and non-state schools
an independent education standards authority to monitor the standards in all schools from 2013
strengthened teacher education programs
recognising Prep as the first year of schooling.

The Australian Curriculum

The Australian Curriculum sets out the core knowledge, understanding, skills, general capabilities and cross curriculum priorities important for all Australian students. The Australian Curriculum for Prep-10 English, mathematics and science will be implemented in Queensland state schools from 2012.

Curriculum into the Classroom

The Curriculum into the Classroom project will provide comprehensive school and classroom materials to support teachers implementing the Australian Curriculum from 2012.

Principal capability development

We are investing in our school leaders through a multi-layered approach including coaches, mentors and professional development.

Teacher Education Centres of Excellence

Five Teacher Education Centres of Excellence are providing preservice teachers with high-quality professional field experience and existing state school teachers with professional development.

Vacation Professional Development for Teachers

Vacation Professional Development for Teachers delivers a range of quality-assured professional development activities focusing on literacy and numeracy during September and January school vacation periods. Thirty-seven courses will be offered in various regional locations across Queensland for the September 2011 period. More than 140 courses have been delivered to approximately 3000 teachers through Vacation Professional Development for Teachers to date.

Roadmap for P-10 curriculum, teaching, assessment and reporting

The Roadmap provides programs for English and mathematics, as well as comprehensive online support for literacy and numeracy.

Minimum teaching time

Minimum teaching times are set in English, mathematics and science in Queensland state schools. This includes minimum curriculum time requirements for the implementation of the Australian Curriculum from Prep to Year 10.

Ready Readers

More than 1800 community volunteers have been trained as Queensland Ready Readers so they can work with young readers in classrooms. This program was expanded in 2011 to provide free reader training for parents and carers of Prep to Year 3 students so they can enhance their child's literacy development at home.

Literacy Professional Learning Community

Development of an online Literacy Professional Learning Community that provides resources for teachers to use to embed the teaching of reading, writing and oral language across the curriculum.

Indigenous student support

Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Schools is helping Indigenous students to fulfil theirpotential. This guide is accompanied by online learning materials and face-to-face workshops.

Literacy and numeracy coaches

Literacy and numeracy coaches are working in more than 170 schools to help classroom teachers improve student achievement.

Take the Lead

Take the Lead is focused on attracting, retaining and coaching principals of small schools in rural and remote areas of the state.

Support Teachers Literacy and Numeracy

These specialist teachers work collaboratively with classroom teachers to improve student literacy and numeracy.

Turnaround teams

Specialist teams of experienced expert teachers are working with Low Socio-Economic Status National Partnership Schools across Queensland to improve student outcomes.

Summer Schools

Years 5, 6 and 7 students identified as requiring additional literacy and numeracy assistance are receiving intensive support during the September and January school holidays. Since the commencement of Summer Schools in 2009, 7731 students have participated and up to 75 per cent have shown improvement in literacy or numeracy.

Years 3 and 5 intensive teaching

Intensive literacy and numeracy support is being provided to Year 3 and Year 5 students identified as below the NAPLAN national minimum standards.

Queensland Education Leadership Institute

The institute provides innovative and quality leadership programs and services to equip current and aspiring school leaders from all sectors with the training they need to implement the major education reforms.

Science Spark

One hundred primary science experts and 15 regional science managers are working with teachers of Years 4-7 in Queensland state schools to promote science in primary schools.

Principal Project Officers (English and Mathematics)

Principal Project Officers (15 English and 15 Mathematics) are working across Queensland state schools to support teachers in these foundation learning areas.

Low Socio-Economic Status National Partnership Schools

A suite of innovative local programs designed to improve the wellbeing and learning outcomes of students from disadvantaged backgrounds are being implemented across the state.

Universal access to kindergarten

Building on the implementation of the Prep year, a community awareness campaign about the importance of a quality early education program is supporting the roll out of universal access to kindergarten.

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This page was last reviewed on 01 Feb 2012 at 12:10PM