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P-3 Literacy and Numeracy Indicators

Literacy and Numeracy Indicators

The QCAR Essential Learnings in each KLA are the core of a student's learning program in Years 1-9; and literacy and numeracy are integral to effective learning in each KLA.

The P-3 Literacy and Numeracy Indicators have been developed by QSA, in partnership with the state-school and non-state schooling sectors, as an additional resource to assist teachers with their planning. The literacy and numeracy indicators address the need for consistency of expectations across and within schools. These indicators are aspirational standards for all students. Use of the indicators is not mandated.

What is the intended purpose of the indicators?

The P-3 Literacy and Numeracy Indicators:

provide advice to schools regarding literacy and numeracy expectations
identify what students are expected to know, understand and be able to do in regard to literacy and numeracy by the end of Prep and Years 1, 2 and 3
enhance consistency of expectations within and across schools
inform whole-school planning and individual planning processes
support implementation of the Essential Learnings in all KLAs by identifying appropriate literacy and numeracy demands as students develop and demonstrate their knowledge of each of the KLAs.

How will the indicators support my teaching?

The indicators are a resource to support planning, teaching and assessment, providing advice about the literacy and numeracy demands that can be embedded in teaching and learning experiences across all KLAs.

Teachers may also choose to use the indicators as a profiling tool to identify whole-class patterns; or as a monitoring tool for individual students who may require additional support in literacy and numeracy.

Are the indicators a mapping tool like the Year 2 Diagnostic Net?

The P-3 Literacy and Numeracy Indicators do not replace the Year 2 Diagnostic Net, and they are not intended to be used as an individual mapping tool for all students.

Will the indicators be used to report to parents?

The P-3 Literacy and Numeracy Indicators are not intended to be used as a reporting framework. Schools will continue to report to parents on their students' progress in relation to the Key Learning Areas in Years guided by the Essential Learnings and Standards in Years 1 to 9; and by the Early Years Curriculum Guidelines in Prep.

Are the indicators a step towards a formal curriculum for Prep?

No. The indicators are a resource that will support planning decisions. The indicators reflect the understanding of literacy and numeracy described in the Early Years Curriculum Guidelines and those advocated in the five-day Literacy Professional Development program for Prep teachers.

Prep teachers will be able to use the indicators to plan learning experiences for their students in the five contexts for learning. For example, in a socio-dramatic play context where students are creating an Insect Museum, the Prep teacher will be able to scaffold and extend students' literacy by supporting them to create simple texts, such as labels and signs. In doing so, students may use a mixture of upper and lower case letters to copy some words from books and posters, as well as include some of the correct letters and sounds within words. The P-3 Literacy and Numeracy Indicators provide advice to teachers regarding these literacy expectations.

Will there be other resources to support the use of the Literacy and Numeracy Indicators?

QSA, in consultation with Education Queensland and ISQ, will develop Assessment Bank items and annotated work samples to support teachers' understanding and use of the Literacy and Numeracy Indicators.

Work is also underway to develop literacy and numeracy indicators for Years 4-9.

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