Image courtesy of Better Start Literacy Approach
Literacy: a skill for life By Gemma Easton, Editor
a student’s performance in literacy, including their educational background to date, the language or languages spoken at home, and whether English is an additional language. Different learning needs should also be considered, for example dyslexia, vision or hearing impairment or ADHD or ASD which can make concentration more difficult.
Literacy is a fundamental building block for children’s educational achievement, their future employment prospects, and their engagement with society outside of school. More than the ability to read and write, literacy in the New Zealand Curriculum focusses on interpreting texts which are communicated orally, visually and in writing. Tamariki also learn how to communicate increasingly complex ideas by creating oral, written and visual texts. This will ensure students become skilled speakers and listeners, writers and readers, and presenters and viewers. Not all students in Aotearoa New Zealand, though, are meeting literary standards. A 2020 UNICEF report found that only 64.6 percent of 15-yearolds across the country had basic proficiency in reading and maths. This means that around 35 percent, or more than one third of 15-year-olds, struggle with reading and writing. These findings were echoed by a report conducted by not-for-profit Education Hub, an organisation which aims to bridge the gap between research and teaching
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practice. Its 2022 report found that the performance of both primary and secondary students has been declining in most reliable measures of achievement, particularly since 2009. In recent years, reading achievement declined faster than in comparable countries, and the proportion of students achieving at the highest levels in reading also decreased. Poor literacy levels can broadly impact a person’s life. The World Literacy Foundation (WLF) said that people with below average literacy rates are more likely to experience poorer employment opportunities and outcomes, and lower wages. This can lead to a dependency on welfare, low self-esteem, and higher rates of crime.
Further to this, parents with poor literacy are more likely to prioritise work over education, and have lower expectations with regard to schooling. This can lead to a cycle of disadvantage through generations. Conversely, strong literacy skills in parents will positively impact a child’s education, as they will be able to help and support their child with their learning, and effectively communicate with teachers about their child’s progress at school.
Supporting students, teachers and families Helping all students in your classroom to meet literacy requirements can be complex. A range of factors will impact
EDUCATION
While literacy is not just about a student’s ability to read and write, these skills form the cornerstone of literacy more broadly. Students who struggle with literacy, may not have the tools to enjoy reading. Disappointment, frustration, and a feeling that it is too hard will hinder progress. Capturing a student’s interest before you read with them, and sharing their favourite books can help foster a love of reading. In some instances, using audio books may help bridge the gap and help student’s access texts. Improving literacy for students is a collaborative effort, involving the student, educators and families. A whole-of-school literacy framework may be useful to ensure literacy is taught uniformly across the school. This is particularly important for younger students who are developing these key skills. Term 4, 2023 | schoolnews.co.nz