This discussion paper outlines current Australian government support for foundation skills training in remote areas. The paper has been prepared to seek public views on how training delivery can be strengthened.

The National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests are conducted for all students across Australia in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. This report provides nationally comparable data on the 2022 national and state/territory results for each test domain and year level assessed...

This interim report reviews how well national policy initiatives by the Australian, State and Territory governments have achieved the objectives and outcomes set out in the National School Reform Agreement, and makes recommendations to inform the design of the next agreement.

This paper presents the results of a four-year longitudinal study – including two years of preschool (age 4 years), kindergarten, and first grade – designed to identify the early quantitative competencies that predict readiness to learn mathematics at school entry.

Too many Australians leave school with language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy (LLND) skills gaps that limit opportunities and life choices. This inquiry report finds that improving adult LLND skills in Australia will help individuals find meaningful employment, earn higher wages and achieve personal fulfillment.

This national report provides further information than contained in the August 2019 summary release, including comparisons of performance by: gender, Indigenous status, language background other than English, parental occupation, parental education and school location.

This report finds that, at the national level, the NAPLAN performance of Australian students in Years 5 and 9 – numeracy, Years 3 and 5 – reading, Years 3 and 5 – spelling, and Years 3 and 7 – grammar was significantly above the 2008...

This report provides further support for the TEACHaR program which seeks to improve educational outcomes for children and young people in care.

This presentation of evidence and insights regarding the impact of single-sex schooling on student achievement was presented at the Fearless Girls Strong Women conference, Alliance of Girls Schools Australasia Educators Conference 2018.

This report reveals Australia’s NAPLAN testing regime is failing the nation’s students and is quite possibly contributing to declining performance standards across the nation.

This is part of a series of in-depth reports from the Survey of Adult Skills. This report covers how the literacy, numeracy and problem solving skills (measured in English) of Māori adults relate to their education, work and use of the language.

NAPLAN data provide parents, schools, governments and the non-government school sectors with important information about whether young Australians are reaching important educational goals.

This paper uses data from the National Assessment Program, Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) to document the distribution of Indigenous students across Australian schools, as well as some of the potential effects of that distribution on literacy and numeracy outcomes.

This report argues that schools should invest in evidence-based, cost-effective policies to improve literacy and numeracy results.

This report argues that a national check of all Year 1 students in the areas of reading, phonics and numeracy will ensure that students who are behind in their schooling are identified early and can receive the extra support they need.

Introduction About ACARA The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) is an independent authority focused on improving the learning of all young Australians through a national curriculum, the national assessment program and a national data collection and reporting program. ACARA collaborates with teachers, principals...

The NSW Literacy and Numeracy Strategy 2017-2020 is a plan to ensure NSW students have the essential literacy and numeracy skills they need for success in learning and in life. Literacy and numeracy skills will be described clearly, taught explicitly, assessed meaningfully and reported regularly...

This paper examines evidence-based practices that can be implemented by schools to enhance literacy and numeracy performance. Educating students in literacy and numeracy is a key responsibility of schools as literacy and numeracy are ‘foundational skills’ that underpin the subsequent development of more complex skills.

Effective communication and advocacy activities are essential components in initiating change in education practices and policies. ACER, through the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Centre provided support to OMAES (Oeuvre Malienne d’Aide à l’Enfance du Sahel), a non-governmental organisation in Mali, for the development of an...

Children think mathematically long before they start school. Before children start learning mathematics at school, they show informal understanding of many numeracy concepts. This is informal numeracy knowledge, that is, skills that children develop before starting school that do not depend on written mathematical notation...

This report looks at how the skills of New Zealand adults compare to other countries and how they have changed over time. Also explored is how skills in New Zealand vary by age, ethnicity, gender and migration status. The Survey of Adult Skills measures the...

This is one of three summary reports from the Survey of Adult Skills. This report covers key findings on how New Zealand adults’ skills compare internationally and on the skill levels of different groups of New Zealanders. Key findings

Overview Every year the taking of NAPLAN examinations and the dissemination of NAPLAN results generates considerable media coverage and community discussion about schools and school education outcomes. This paper discusses the origins, objectives and main features of NAPLAN, and sets out its position within the...

This report illustrates that there are significant numbers of the Australian population, who do not have, or are at risk of not developing, the mathematical knowledge and skills needed to fully participate economically and socially. Summary Numeracy is the capacity, confidence and disposition to use...

Provides parents, schools, governments and the non-government school sectors with information about whether young Australians are reaching important educational goals. Introduction About ACARAThe Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) is an independent authority focused on improving the learning of all young Australians through a...