Failing to teach Australian children how to read correctly costs students and the economy as a whole billions of dollars over a lifetime.
One in three students do not meet Naplan's minimum literacy standards, and the Grattan Institute, a leading public policy think tank, says the problem is completely preventable.
Education program director Hunter Jordana says an “education revolution” is needed.
“This is an avoidable tragedy. Most students can't read well because we don't teach them enough,” Dr. Jordana said.
The think tank said in its report that students who struggle with reading are more likely to take low-paying jobs or become unemployed.
Not only do students miss out on potential income, but governments give up tax revenue and increase spending on welfare, public health, and justice.
The institute calculates that the cost to Australia of below-average reading proficiency is approximately $40 billion over the lifetimes of those most severely affected.
In its report, the think tank called on state and territory governments, Catholic schools and independent schools to commit to ensuring at least 90 per cent of their students are proficient readers.
It also calls for universal screening of reading comprehension to catch students who fall through the cracks, and guidelines for teachers based on a “structured literacy” approach that focuses on early childhood phonics. .
The institute said “the evidence is now clear” on the best way to teach children to read – starting by learning to pronounce the letters of each word – and that outdated approaches should be banished. said.
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare agreed that the “reading wars” are over.
“We know what works,” the minister said.
He said the current National School Reform Agreement, a federal, state and territory commitment to improve student outcomes, would not “move the needle”.
“Any new agreement we enter into this year needs to ensure that schools are properly funded and that that funding is tied to something effective,” Mr Clare said.
