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<h2><span data-contrast="auto">Three new publications from the Ministry of Education have provided an overview of the outcomes of recent structured literacy initiatives in schools. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The reports and accompanying MoE commentary were released ahead of last week’s announcement that the structured literacy approach would become mandatory in state schools from Term One of next year. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/latest-print-issue/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read the latest print edition of <em>School News</em> HERE</strong></a> </p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The first publication is titled </span><i><span data-contrast="auto">‘Early Literacy Approach Evaluation: A snapshot’. </span></i><span data-contrast="auto">It uses qualitative methods to interrogate the early stages of three literacy initiatives collectively known as the Early Literacy Approach. These were rolled out in 2021 to 2022. The report details findings from six cycles of rapid data collection and analysis of the ELA roll-out. In 2023, data collection on the impact of ELA on literacy attainment was conducted. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<figure id="attachment_18906" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-18906" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="size-medium wp-image-18906" src="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Reading-snip-300x158.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="158" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-18906" class="wp-caption-text">Image: www.shutterstock.com</figcaption></figure>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The second publication is </span><i><span data-contrast="auto">‘The Literacy and Communication Package Trial Final Evaluation Report’</span></i><span data-contrast="auto"> which looked at three accelerative structured literacy approaches for Year 3 – 8 ākonga. This trial was conducted in Terms 3 and 4 of 2022. Fifty-one schools in seven regions participated. The trials included 114 teachers and 1113 students. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Alongisde the two reports, the Ministry of Education has also released their commentary </span><i><span data-contrast="auto">‘Six Insights from the Early Literacy Approach and Literacy and Communication Trial evaluations’</span></i><span data-contrast="auto"> which summarised key findings from both reports. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Do structured literacy programmes improve outcomes?</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Both reports found structured literacy approaches had significant benefit for ākonga and boosted literacy achievement. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The first report on the roll-out of ELA found that kaiako benefited from structured literacy training and were supported to implement the new approach. Capacity and confidence of teachers was uplifted. However, there were inconsistencies in implementation, integration and delivery of the structured literacy concepts. The R2RPP books and resources were found to be valuable and effective and relevant for the Aotearoa New Zealand context. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Both ELA programmes were associated with improvement in literacy but there was insufficient evidence for the extent of these improvements compared with existing practices. Initial data analysis suggests a “doubling” of expected ākonga progress over the same time-period. However, this is preliminary data only. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The proficiency gap between ethnicities, although closing, persists. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The report on structured literacy approaches for Years 3 to 8 similarly found improved teacher confidence and capability in using structured approaches. There was an improvement in literacy attainment, engagement and learning. Increased intervention impacts were noted for Pacific and female students though this finding was not consistent across all providers. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">However, the report found these benefits were “fragile” as the infrastructure for these structured literacy approaches are under-developed and there is uncertainty around funding and future programmes. There was also a higher-than-expected literacy need identified in participating schools. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The report found students who received the most intensive intervention reported the most improvement. These students received 3 to 4 sessions per week over two terms. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<figure id="attachment_9874" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-9874" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="size-medium wp-image-9874" src="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/AdobeStock_186274697-300x200.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-9874" class="wp-caption-text">© Chinnapong &#8211; stock.adobe.com</figcaption></figure>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Taking these findings together, the Ministry of Education noted in their commentary that persistent inequity in literacy progress and achievement persists. This is because rates of progress are similar across populations, however, NZ European and Asian students demonstrated higher initial literacy proficiency. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Intensive support was found to be more efficient and effective when begun at an earlier stage, which improved the likelihood of closing literacy attainment gaps. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Currently, the system of Tier 2 and Tier 3 literacy supports may not always accurately identify the level, intensity and length of teaching required for ākonga. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Systemic change was also found to require sustained effort, time and support. MoE noted there were “inherent tensions between fidelity and responsiveness.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<blockquote>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">A lack of common assessment tools and a variation between providers, combined with intellectual property considerations made accurate assessment of impact difficult.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
</blockquote>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Finally, certain features of the initiatives themselves appeared to impact positive outcomes, introducing a certain confounding element. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Recommendations for future approaches to structured literacy in schools included standardising assessment, targeting interventions for earlier ages, continued support for teachers and sufficient access to appropriate resources. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Policy response</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">On Thursday last week, Education Minister Erica Stanford has announced that structured literacy will become mandatory in schools from 2025. The $67 million pledged for the initiative will go toward funding for R2RPP books and additional support and training for teachers. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">NZPF President Leanne Otene has said that the pace of rollouts will be “overwhelming” to teachers, and criticised the mandating of structured literacy. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<blockquote>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“A single option will not be effective in every context or for every student in our culturally diverse country,” said Otene, cautioning that the approach is “not a silver bullet.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
</blockquote>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">NZEI Te Riu Roa President Mark Potter agreed. In a press release, Potter said that although there is “recent evidence” that structured literacy works for many, there is also evidence that personalised learning is “the key art teachers bring to their work”.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“Teaching is an art and a craft, not just a science. A teacher knows what teaching approach will work best for the variety of learners in their classroom. Mandating a one-size-fits-all to curriculum does not work. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“We don’t expect politicians to tell doctors exactly what to prescribe for every patient, and politicians reaching into every classroom and telling every teacher how to teach every child undermines the professionalism of teachers.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The full reports and recommendations </span><a href="https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/schooling/literacy-evaluation-reports-and-insights" target="_blank"><span data-contrast="none">can be read here</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";335559685";:0}"> </span></p>
<h6>Note: An earlier version of the story incorrectly attributed two reports to the Education Review Office (ERO). All three publications were released by the Ministry of Education and the article has since been updated to reflect this correction. </h6>

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