Literacy and Numeracy

Through the Smarter Schools National Partnership for Literacy and Numeracy the Australian Government is providing $540 million over four years to facilitate and reward the implementation of evidence based strategies that improve student literacy and numeracy skills.

Funding contributions made by the Australian Government to states and territories under the Smarter Schools National Partnership for Literacy and Numeracy are as follows:

Why focus on literacy and numeracy?

Literacy and numeracy are the essential foundation skills that allow young people to achieve at school, go on to further learning, and participate fully in society and work.

International and national test results show that there are some Australian students, including a high proportion of Indigenous students, who perform below basic literacy and numeracy standards.

What’s happening under this National Partnership?

The Smarter Schools National Partnership for Literacy and Numeracy focuses on three key areas:

• quality teaching of literacy and numeracy
• stronger school leadership, and
• the effective use of student performance information to identify where students need support.

During the implementation of this partnership a special focus is being placed on students who will benefit most from these programs, specifically primary aged and Indigenous students.

As a result, this National Partnership will also contribute to the Council of Australian Governments’ target of halving the gap for Indigenous students in reading, writing and numeracy within a decade.

How does funding work for this partnership?

Over the first two years of this National Partnership, $150 million will be distributed based on each state and territory's share of students at or below minimum standards in reading and numeracy for Years 3, 5 and 7. Over the last two years of the National Partnership, $350 million will be allocated to reward reform. States and territories will receive reward payments as they meet the targets for improving literacy and numeracy that they have outlined in their Implementation Plans. $40 million has also been provided for strategic initiatives.

National Literacy and Numeracy Partnerships Forum

The National Literacy and Numeracy Partnerships Forum was held in Brisbane on 10 – 11 November 2011.  The Forum was an opportunity for teachers, principals and others to share their experiences of how the Smarter Schools National Partnership for Literacy and Numeracy has allowed them to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes for their students. More than 350 participants enjoyed Literacy and Numeracy presentations delivered by educators from around Australia.

Around seventy presentations were delivered at the Forum by teachers, principals and education experts.

Pilot programs

Separately, the Australian Government has invested $41 million in 30 literacy and numeracy pilot initiatives. These pilots are taking place in selected schools and are trialling or expanding on current initiatives to lift the literacy and numeracy performance of students in disadvantaged communities.

Learn more about what the experts have to say about teaching literacy and numeracy and view a series of vodcasts developed by some of the participating schools.

Further information

You can find out more about this National Partnership by downloading the Literacy and Numeracy Partnership Agreement and fact sheet below.

Otherwise, the Smarter Schools Frequently Asked Questions can provide you with general information on all three national partnerships.

• Partnership Agreement ( PDF 380KB | RTF 328KB)
• Fact Sheet ( PDF 181KB |  DOCX 591KB)

National Literacy and Numeracy Week gives schools the opportunity to get involved in a range of literacy and numeracy activities. The Week aims to recognise locally the achievements of students and the work of teachers, parents and members of the community who support young people to develop stronger literacy and numeracy skills.