We aim to improve literacy understanding and reading levels for Aboriginal students in Collingwood. We have established a relationship with the local primary school where there is a great need for literacy assistance. Through individual tutoring we can test the students’ skills and identify gaps in their understanding. We then coach them each week to ...
The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation
Literacy Tutoring for Aboriginal children Melbourne
GOAL
$10,000
Australia > VIC > Metro and Regional
Field of Interest
- Education/training and employment
- First Nations communities
Target Population
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Young people (6-25)
The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation
The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation provides literacy, tutoring and mentoring services to young indigenous Australians. This is in the form of afterschool homework groups, tutorial groups in remote areas and our “Need a Tutor” online assistance program. The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation also is the largest non-government provider of books to schools in northern Australia (more than 100,000 volumes a year) and also plays a role in research into the literacy needs of indigenous Australians. An important development has been the Aboriginal Digital Literacy Hub which enables remote Aboriginal schools to have access to books, magazines, videos and software, otherwise unobtainable. At the present time, 51% of the adult Aboriginal population is functionally illiterate, and the most recent ABS figures (2015) indicate that the "gap" between indigenous and non-indigenous students at upper primary and lower secondary has grown not narrowed (approximately 2.5 reading years on the Schonell Scale). The impact of Covid 19 on schooling only made this worse. It is only by improving literacy that further education is possible, which will result in employment. Without improving literacy skills, the Australian Aboriginal population cannot fully enjoy the benefits of living in Australia. By improving the students education we can assist their wellbeing and address social injustice.
Project Summary
We aim to improve literacy understanding and reading levels for Aboriginal students in Collingwood. We have established a relationship with the local primary school where there is a great need for literacy assistance.
Through individual tutoring we can test the students’ skills and identify gaps in their understanding. We then coach them each week to bring them up to the reading levels of their peers. Our experience has been that the most successful type of tutoring takes place on a regular basis at least once a week and for at least 1 hour. Wherever possible the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation has concentrated on providing 1 on 1 tutoring or small group tutoring (maximum 3). This shows good success. We recruit students recommended by teachers and the local Aboriginal Co-op.
Our experienced teachers will conduct literacy testing in reading, spelling and comprehension. Once we have accessed their needs, we will provide a specific program to meet their needs. Tutoring will take place once per week during the school term for a period of 10 months. Exercises and activities help to increase the student’s literacy understanding and improve their education levels. Consistency and individual attention bring positive results. As skills grows so does confidence giving the students a belief in a brighter future.
Project Outcomes
Individual tutoring provided by this program will benefit the student directly. We have been a long-term advocate of non-invasive testing of students to establish both the students need and their outcome. As well as the well-established ACER (Australian Council of Educational Research) Tests, the ALF uses long established overseas testing for spelling and comprehension. The advantage of these tests, unlike NAPLAN (and similar tests) is that it gives the individual student feedback on his or her improvement. These tests mostly state outcomes in terms that are understandable by not only staff but by students and parents. Reading age is established through Schonnell and ACER testing and can accurately plot student’s improvement. Our own ALF supporters will also help meet the cost of the program. We also conduct surveys with the students and parents to access the success of the program. Feedback is recorded and taken on board in order to improve the program. Past comments have been positive and the willingness of the students to continue in the program and improve their literacy skills further is testament to our success.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $20,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Our own ALF Give Now Fund | $10,000 |
| Funding Gap | $10,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Hire of Tutor for Program | $16,000 |
| Transport | $1,500 |
| Student Materials | $1,000 |
| Administration inc. overheads | $1,500 |
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