Overview

Overview

The Closing the Gap—Expansion of intensive literacy and numeracy programs initiative will expand on existing successful approaches to teaching and learning literacy and numeracy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, as well as establish an evidence base of innovative literacy and numeracy approaches.

Fast facts

  • The Australian Government is providing $51.5 million over four years for intensive literacy and numeracy projects.
  • Projects have been implemented progressively from 2009. 16 projects have already been funded in a range of sites across Australia.
  • A second round of funding under the initiative committed $25.9 million to fund 17 new projects.  These projects will operate in schools over the 2011 and 2012 school years.
  • Over 20,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in over 670 schools across Australia will benefit from this initiative.
  • The projects identified for extension under this initiative employ strategies such as connecting to community, supporting school leaders to lead through high expectations and community engagement, and supporting teachers to deliver culturally inclusive literacy and numeracy education.
  • The Australian Government is providing $4.9 million over four years to support teachers to prepare and maintain Personalised Learning Plans (PLPs) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Intensive literacy and numeracy Projects by State and Territory

Program factsheet ( PDF 223KB | RTF 129KB)

Closing the Gap—Expansion of intensive literacy and numeracy programs Practitioner’s Forum 2011

The Closing the Gap—Expansion of intensive literacy and numeracy programs Practitioner’s Forum 2011 was held in Canberra on 23 May 2011.

The three key topics discussed at the Forum were community engagement, effective leadership and effective teaching.

For more information and to view photos and videos from the event visit the Practitioner’s Forum page.

Smarter Schools

The Australian Government is committed to improving the educational outcomes of all school students, particularly those at risk of falling behind. The Smarter Schools National Partnerships are assisting states and territories to boost literacy and numeracy outcomes of students and to employ strategies to improve student attendance and engagement. Reform activities under each of the Smarter Schools National Partnerships have a strong focus on closing the gap between the educational outcomes of Indigenous students and non-Indigenous students.