Student Learning

Literacy and Numeracy

For all Victorian students to have the best opportunities possible, it is essential for educators, schools and the system to maintain and extend a focus on literacy and numeracy education as the foundation for success in all other areas. With this in mind, the Department has developed a series of new initiatives and resources that demonstrate this strong commitment and will support ongoing improvement in the literacy and numeracy outcomes of all Victorian students.

NAPLAN Test Participation, May 15, 16 and 17

The National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an important part of the suite of assessments used by leaders and teachers in schools and produces data essential for whole-school planning and for relaying student progress in literacy and numeracy to parents and families, in a summative report.

  • The NAPLAN tests for 2012 will be held on the mornings of Tuesday 15, Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 May.
  • Catch-up test sessions are on the afternoons of Tuesday 15, Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 May, and all day on Friday 18 May.

Based on knowledge of effective approaches used by schools with increased participation in NAPLAN 2009 - 2011, information has been developed to support increasing NAPLAN participation consisting of:

Principals can choose to use the information in their professional discussion with leaders and teachers, which may particularly benefit preparation for Year 9 students.

The information can also support consistent communication to families of students in Year 3, who may be new to the national testing.

Catch-up tests provided in the week of NAPLAN are opportunities to ensure all students participate in the tests, and ensure the continued reliability and validity of NAPLAN.

VCAA provide comprehensive advice to schools on NAPLAN implementation. Information regarding the implementation, schedule of testing and times allocated can be found on the VCAA website.

See also, a complete list of VCAA Notices to Schools in 2012.

Literacy and Numeracy 6-18 Month Strategy

2011-12 Literacy and Numeracy Strategy Document Cover

Literacy and numeracy 6-18 month strategy: P-10 improvement schedule for school leaders - outlines a literacy and numeracy assessment schedule for all students from Prep to Year 10 and provides advice on data analysis at a school, year, cohort and individual level.

The Strategy also presents an outline of a multi-faceted approach to developing and maintaining a whole-school focus on literacy and numeracy, including the implementation of literacy and numeracy student intervention programs, advice on staff professional learning and strategies to strengthen partnerships with families.

The Literacy and numeracy 6-18 month strategy: P-10 improvement schedule for school leaders is presented in a six-term schedule that uses the characteristics presented within the effective schools model as an organising feature.

 

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Victorian Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat

The Victorian Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat has been established to coordinate literacy and numeracy policy and programs across the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and assist regional offices, networks and schools to improve student achievement in literacy and numeracy.

Key Characteristics of Effective Literacy Teaching

Key Characteristics of Effective Literacy Teaching P-6 cover

The Key Characteristics of Effective Literacy Teaching P-6 (PDF - 1.2Mb) – specifies the nature of quality differentiated classroom teaching for all students in Years Prep to 6.  These characteristics were informed by research and developed through consultation with classroom practitioners, literacy experts, coaches and regional personnel.  This document links to the Victorian Essential Learning Standards and relevant online literacy learning and teaching resources.

Key Characteristics of Effective Literacy Teaching 7-10 cover

 

 

The Key Characteristics of Effective Literacy Teaching 7 - 10 (PDF - 2.7Mb) – specifies the nature of quality differentiated classroom teaching for students in Years 7 to 10 in literacy across a range of domains. These characteristics were informed by research and developed through consultation with classroom practitioners, literacy experts, coaches and regional personnel. This document links to the Victorian Essential Learning Standards and relevant online literacy learning and teaching resources.

Key Characteristics of Effective Numeracy Teaching

Key Characteristics of Effective Numeracy Teaching P-6 cover

The Key Characteristics of Effective Numeracy Teaching P-6 (PDF - 209Kb) – specifies the nature of quality differentiated classroom teaching for all students in Years Prep to 6.  These characteristics were informed by research and developed through consultation with classroom practitioners, mathematics experts, coaches and regional personnel.  This document links to the Victorian Essential Learning Standards and relevant online numeracy learning and teaching resources.

Key Characteristics of Effective Numeracy Teaching 7-10 cover

 

 

The Key Characteristics of Effective Numeracy Teaching 7 - 10 (PDF - 156Kb) – specifies the nature of quality differentiated classroom teaching for students in Years 7 to 10. These characteristics were informed by research and developed through consultation with classroom practitioners, mathematics experts, coaches and regional personnel. This document links to the Victorian Essential Learning Standards and relevant online numeracy learning and teaching resources.

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Numeracy teaching within domains

In development is the Numeracy Teaching within Domains (PDF - 137Kb).  The purpose of the document is to raise awareness of the numeracy demands within identified VELS domains.  Recognising that all students learn differently, this document provides a starting point for teachers to consider and build on students’ numeracy skills and understanding within domains, ensuring that all students are able to access the domain specific concepts and behaviours.  This is new work and as such any feedback or advice is welcome.

See also:

Yachad Accelerated Learning Project (YALP)

The Yachad Accelerated Learning Project (YALP) delivers a targeted one-on-one tutoring program, the Ten Minute System (10MS), to improve the literacy and numeracy outcomes of underachieving students in primary and secondary schools. Since 2005, the program has catered to the needs of individual students including Indigenous, immigrant and refugee as well as integration students. YALP tutors are employed by the school and could include auxiliary staff, gap year students, parents and other community volunteers. YALP trains tutors and provides ongoing support and evaluation of individual student outcomes.

For further information about YALP please visit: YALP

The program currently operates in 15 Victorian primary and secondary schools. In 2011, the program’s implementation in eight of these schools was evaluated by Deakin University.  The evaluation report describes the delivery of the program in these schools, emphasising the program’s academic and pastoral impact.

Literacy and Numeracy Pilot Project in Low SES School Communities

Teacher and 2 students in library

Literacy and Numeracy Pilot Project in Low SES School Communities – the aim is to trial a network-wide implementation of a multi-faceted approach to literacy and numeracy improvement for all students.

 

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