- McGowan Government fulfils election commitment to open a Western Australian centre for excellence in literacy
- Curtin University-based centre to provide professional learning and resources for public school teachers
- 60 teachers to be selected as literacy ambassadors to lead the initiative
Curtin University will host a new centre for excellence to enhance primary school students' literacy skills - fulfilling an election commitment by the McGowan Government to boost literacy teaching in Western Australia.
The $2 million WA Centre for Excellence in Explicit Teaching of Literacy forms part of the State Government's wider $3.5 million commitment to improve literacy teaching in WA public schools.
The centre will study the teaching methods of exemplary teachers from five selected schools who have achieved strong and sustained improvement in their students' reading and writing skills.
The selected primary schools will work with Curtin academics to develop and trial resources as well as professional learning, which will be available to schools across the State.
Under the agreement, the State Government will provide Curtin University $2 million to run the centre and related programs.
From 2019, 20 public school teachers who wish to become experts in explicit literacy instruction will be selected for an internship with the centre for intensive professional learning. A further 40 teachers will be selected over the period of 2020-21.
These teacher experts will then share their knowledge with their colleagues and other local schools.
Explicit teaching is defined as teachers being clear about what they want students to know and be able to do by the end of each lesson. Teachers tell students what they need to do, show them how to do it, and give them time to practise what they have learnt.
As noted by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"The State Government is committed to giving our primary school students the best possible tools to achieve as they work towards higher education and training.
"This election commitment represents our belief that when you equip students with strong literacy skills, you help set them up for life.
"Teachers from five high-performing schools will work with Curtin to share their expertise in the teaching of literacy and develop resources so other educators can learn from the best.
"This initiative will help more children become confident in their reading and writing, and hopefully inspire lifelong passions for literacy."
As noted by Curtin University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Terry:
"In consultation with the Department of Education, leading education experts from Curtin will review the teaching methods of some of the best-performing schools when it comes to improvements in literacy results.
