Reciprocal Teaching – RT3T™ is important for NCEA

One school wide approach that supports our tamariki to develop into confident and capable lifelong learners is Reciprocal Teaching – RT3T™.  Developed by Dr Julia Westera, Reciprocal Teaching – RT3T™ is an evidence-based inclusive strategy that has been shown to reverse downward trends in education and wellbeing within our schools and their communities. 

RT3T™ is aligned with Te Mataiaho, Tātaiako and Tapasā. Our rangatahi will be our future citizens and thought leaders RT3T™ sets them up for success. They learn to focus and enjoy learning, to think and talk confidently and critically, handle challenges, be able to hold a reasoned point of view, and enjoy warm and open relationships together. 

Leanne Webb, Principal, Aorere College, continues to see the direct relevance of RT3T for NCEA Co-requisites, Standards, and Scholarship. Aorere has a committed strategic leadership team and a cross-curricular approach to RT3T.

“RT3T™ deepens learning and increases access to challenging texts; connects thinking skills; improves content learning; promotes kanohi ki te kanohi collaborative skills and student leadership.” – Keir Whipp

A Structured Approach to secondary literacy that offers equitable outcomes

RT3T™ provides an inclusive, collaborative, and metacognitive approach that interweaves learning skills proven to be essential to understanding, thinking critically and using texts for learning in all curriculum areas. It is structured, but at a deep and interwoven level, providing teachers and students with common language and skills across all year levels. 

As a structured approach to literacy learning, RT3T™:

• Gives teachers tools to take students beyond simple decoding. Students also enjoy learning, reading, thinking and talking together more deeply.
• Extends beyond the literacy space, enabling students to work in integrated and purposeful ways across the curriculum. Students learn essential skills for NCEA, the workplace and for life. These include how to engage with learning, both as part of a team and independently.
• Provides clear coverage within the literacy space of key thinking / comprehension skills in an integrated way rather than in isolation.
• Provides students with a structured approach to reading unfamiliar and challenging texts.
• Reduces the tail of achievement and is just as effective for high flyers.
• Works for everyone. Is inclusive and counters bullying. Gets everyone on track.
• Is popular. Initially RT3T™ involves ritualised learning so that everyone quickly feels safe and becomes a confident, focussed and skilled learner and leader.

RT3T™ is one of three evidence-based pedagogies profiled in the Māori Futures/ Kōkirihia Toolkit

Kōkirihia is a collaboration between 22 organisations including teachers’ unions, principals’ associations, school boards’ associations, initial teacher education providers, and the Ministry of Education, with a commitment to achieve equity within our schools by 2030.

RT3T™ is about teaching that connects, counts, and cares.

We asked students, “What would your parents say if they saw you leading an RT3T group?” Here’s what they said…

Contact us to learn more about our PLD opportunities and how we can support your school to implement this up-to-date pedagogy that changes how teachers teach and students learn.

Visit our website: https://rteach.co.nz or email admin@rteach.co.nz for more information.

For wider reading

Kōkirihia newsletter – featuring RT3T in a primary and a secondary school. 

A rapid review of grouping practices for equitable outcomes | Education Counts – released April 2025. 

Exceptional results in two small schools with deeply committed leadership. – RTeach Institute

Reciprocal Teaching – RT3T™ in action with Year 3 and 4 – RTeach Institute – stunning results have consistently been obtained for younger students.