development training and put this evidence-based practice into action. It is an excellent fit for our proactive approach to learning support and wellbeing as a College. Learning, like any other speciality, progresses over time. The reading wars are historically based on various theories about how children learn to read but now, the research is comprehensive and cannot be ignored.”
Where in Australia has it been implemented? In NSW, the government has begun to emphasise understandings of literacy aligned to the science and across all public schools will mandate its use in the first three years of primary school. A new version of the Australian curriculum was recently published and has removed any reference to predictable texts and the “threecueing system”, another staple of the whole language and balanced literacy approaches to teaching children to read.
What is exciting is this approach is not just for students who struggle; it benefits all children, including advanced learners. We can already see how this approach provides all of our students with the core skills they require to become successful readers and writers. Throughout MLC Junior School, quality teaching and learning experiences aligned with current research are implemented across all year levels to ensure no student is left behind.
However, it is unclear how fully Victorian government education will adopt the new national curriculum. Currently, only a small number of Victorian schools are adopting a Structured Literacy approach based on the Science of Reading. What to look for “As parents, it is important to understand these developments and to identify a school that is up to date. It is also important to ask whether the school invests in their teachers with professional development to learn the latest and most effective teaching practices,” says Louise.
“As parents, it is important to understand these developments and to identify a school that is up to date.”
“We partner with MultiLit, a research initiative of Macquarie University and use their programs and resources. The educators at MLC have already undertaken professional
MLC Junior Librarian, Ruth Thatcher implements Structured Literacy techniques, like phonemic awareness during story time.
5