This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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One-stop-shop for ABCs and 123s
18/06/2002
A 'One-Stop-Shop' resource to help teachers raise literacy and numeracy levels was launched today.
The National Statements on Improving Attainment in Literacy and Numeracy are a complete overview of national guidance, resources and initiatives available across pre-school, primary and secondary education in Scotland. They also set out the Executive's future action to improve attainment in literacy and numeracy.
Two Development Officers will support education authorities and schools in making the most of the National Statements and focus in particular on:
- Raising levels of achievement among pupils experiencing poverty and injustice
- Improving standards in S1 and S2
- Addressing the disparity in literacy levels between boys and girls
- Promote greater collaborative working between pre-school, primary and secondary
- Encourage education authorities to share good practice in developing literacy and numeracy skills
Speaking at Ferryhill primary school in Edinburgh, Minister for Education Cathy Jamieson said:
"Developing literacy and numeracy skills is absolutely central to our children's education. To achieve our goal of raising standards in these areas requires everyone involved in education to work together more closely. This will help ensure all our children have the chance to develop their literacy and numeracy skills and go on to reach their full potential.
"The National Statements launched today pull together all existing resources to create a 'One-Stop-Shop' for teachers. They also set out action that needs to be taken.
"Evaluation of the Early Intervention Programme concluded that it has had an 'enormous impact on many schools in Scotland' with overall attainment rising - particularly in literacy. However, there is still too big a gap between those who are doing well and those suffering disadvantage who are doing less well.
"The National Statements will help teachers to build on the good work already being done and continue it through a pupil's school life. They also highlight that action needs to be taken in some problem areas.
"The Development Officers, who will take up post in the Autumn, will help schools and education authorities get the most out of the Statements. They will focus on problem areas such as tackling the disparity in attainment in literacy between boys and girls and look to improve the standards of attainment in S1 and S2.
"The National Statements, Development Officers and other elements of our strategy will help build a partnership between all sectors. This will give our children the chance to maximise their skills in literacy and numeracy and get the best from themselves and from life."
The national statements consist of three publications - national statement for literacy, national statement for numeracy and a commentary summary document.
The national statements set out for the first time the full range of current initiatives being undertaken by the Scottish Executive to raise standards in literacy and numeracy.
The documents also draw together and set within an overall context the main findings from reports and surveys on improving literacy and numeracy commissioned by the Department and HMIE over recent years.
The main aim is to improve attainment in literacy and numeracy by promoting greater partnership and support activities involving the Scottish Executive, HMIE, Learning and Teaching Scotland, education authorities, teachers, parents and other stakeholders.
The overall emphasis will be on greater co-ordination and development of existing work rather than the creation of additional workload for the staff involved.
The national statements will be supported by the appointment of two Development Officers (one for literacy, one for numeracy) by Learning and Teaching Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Executive.
The Development Officers will help education authorities to take an overarching perspective of the literacy and numeracy provision within their areas, help to promote links between different education authorities and assist in co-ordinating the work of other educational agencies.
The commentary document provides further details of the Development Officers remit.
Copies of the National Statements will be distributed to all education authorities, pre-school centres and schools. The documents will also be available on the National Grid for Learning web site www.ngflscotland.gov.uk.