Use of an innovative program developed by a researcher at The University of Queensland (UQ) has seen three Queensland schools receive National Literacy Awards for their outstanding work in improving the literacy skills of their students.
Dr Carol Christensen, from UQ’s School of Education, has worked with numerous Queensland schools over the past five years to help achieve some remarkable improvements in the reading and writing of their students.
As part of 2005 National Literacy and Numeracy Week (29 August – 5 September), Kirwan State High School in Thuringowa received an Excellence Award, and Balmoral State High School in Morningside, and St Francis College in Creastmead both received Highly Commended Awards.
Dr Christensen, who has developed the literacy program over five years, said she worked with each school on an individual basis, enabling schools to tailor the program to the needs of individual students to ensure success.
“With the program, we can routinely improve reading and writing 2-3 years for each year students undertake the program. The accomplishments of the program are not restricted to students` literacy rates, we can make fundamental changes in motivation and see improvements in subjects right across the board,” she said.
Dr Christensen started the program in 2000 working with just one school and it has grown from there, with plans underway to implement it in some Victorian schools as well.
“Literacy is a fundamental skill that is critically important to Australia’s future prosperity and position in the world. For this reason, it’s important that we promote strong literacy skills amongst young people,” Dr Christensen said.
National Literacy and Numeracy Week is an Australian Government initiative which is run in collaboration with State and Territory Governments. It aims to showcase the hard work school communities are undertaking in improving literacy and numeracy skills; recognise the outstanding results that have been achieved; and raise community awareness of the importance of all Australian students developing effective literacy and numeracy skills.
National Literacy and Numeracy Week 2005 will be celebrated between 29 August and 4 September.
For further information and interviews, contact Dr Carol Christensen on 3365 6634 or c.christensen@uq.edu.au.
