The Grange P-12 College has made remarkable strides in improving literacy rates among its students, offering a compelling case study for other schools grappling with similar challenges. The school's innovative approach, which emphasizes reading as a standalone subject, has yielded impressive results, challenging the conventional wisdom that reading improves through exposure to texts in English classes. This shift in methodology has not only boosted NAPLAN literacy scores but also fostered a culture of reading among students, as evidenced by a significant increase in book borrowing from the school library.
The school's Core Literacy Coordinator, Clara Tran, attributes the success to the dedicated time and specialized teachers trained in the Core Literacy model. This approach, developed by literacy academic Carol Christensen, involves grouping students into small, ability-based classes, ensuring a tailored reading experience. The model's effectiveness is further underscored by its positive impact at other schools, such as Braybrook College and Sunshine College, which have been highlighted by the Grattan Institute as benchmarks for school transformation.
The Grange's Principal, David Smillie, notes a broader trend of declining interest in reading among students, which has persisted for decades. However, the school's emphasis on a strong academic agenda and the Core Literacy program has helped to reverse this trend. Smillie emphasizes the importance of instilling reading as a daily habit, a challenge that many parents face when trying to encourage their children to read instead of engaging with mobile devices. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the long-term impact of the Core Literacy program on VCE exam results, the school's recent success in academic achievements, including having the dux of the school also as the dux of reading, bodes well for the future.
The Grange's story serves as a powerful reminder that a comprehensive and dedicated approach to literacy education can significantly impact student outcomes. It also highlights the importance of challenging traditional teaching methods and embracing innovative strategies to address the complex issue of low literacy rates in schools. As the school continues to implement and refine its Core Literacy program, it will be fascinating to see how these improvements translate into long-term academic success and whether this model can be adapted and replicated in other educational settings.
