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Reading & writing as a means to access schooling
Pre 1970s the term 'literacy' was hardly used. Reading and writing were seen purely as a means to accessing information during schooling. The term 'illiteracy' was however commonly used with adults who could not read and 'literacy' non formal programs were created. -
Dartmouth Conference
The Dartmouth Conference was a pivotal point in the move to 'the new English' teaching of reading and writing. A powerful set of modern ideas helped to set the way for literacy teaching as we know it today. Personal growth, experiences and student centred replaced skills and drills and parroting of text that occured in the past. -
Paulo Freire - Education as the Practice of Freedom
Paulo Freire's work in social justice and freedom of the times worked well with non-formal literacy programs. His ideas on 'literacy' became a foundation for educational research training and theory -'reading the word and the world'. His literacy teaching was through making social change, reflection and action. His work in literacy can still be felt in classrooms today. -
1970s Literacy Crisis
In the 1970s there was a 'discovery' of widespread 'illiteracy' in America, that was - reading and writing below a level to functionin society. In the western world schools were not being able to make certain all students were literate enough to function in society (the data varied). Serious reform was needed to update the curriculum in schools. -
The National Policy on Languages (NPL)
In 1987 the Australian Government issued a National Policy on Languages to create coherance and consistency to literacy approaches. This was a time of push for governments to raise literacy levels as part of strategies for economic growth. The NPL became the National Policy on Language and Literacy in 1991. This gave much funds to research in Australian universities. -
PISA - Launched
PISA - Programme for International Student Assessment was launched in 1997 and the first survey taken in 2000. This programme was the beginning of international comparison of literacy levels in OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries. -
Emergence of 'New Literacies'
As literacy has taken a central role in educational programmes, the emergence of 'new literacies' is becomes even more important. There is a 'literacy' for many areas eg. scientific literacy, computer literacy. The term is organic and its importance to teachers is paramount in our fast moving technological world. -
NAPLAN introduced into Australian Schools
In 2008 National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy was introduced into Australian schools. The purpose was to monitor standards and to use the information for future curriculum development and assessment.
