Latest news with #literacy
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Era of uncertainty has put focus for kids' education back on basics
Battle-weary mums and dads skidding into term 3 convinced it's time for operation damage control can take some comfort in knowing that they're not alone. Even Nova 96.9's famously laconic radio personality Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald, father to Hewie, 16, and Lenny, 12, feels major social transformations like social media, AI and geopolitical tensions have disproportionately pulled focus. 'We've got a couple of wars … it is quite confusing at the moment,' Fitzy said. 'There's a lot of uncertainty out there.' But have these global forces distracted all the adults in the room from adequately monitoring Australian children's literacy development? That's a question worrying the majority of parents. Exclusive new research reveals 64 per cent of Australian school parents (K-12) fear kids' education is at risk of becoming collateral damage as societal stresses mount. Two in three parent respondents 'worry the education of this generation is being overlooked and damaged in the face of growing societal change and the pressures on families'. That concern peaks for children in junior primary, with 72 per cent of surveyed parents in agreement. The survey of 1307 Australians – conducted exclusively for Kids News as part of the June 2025 Lighthouse Consumer Tracker, by News Corp Australia's Growth Intelligence Centre (GIC) – comes as the free classroom news site's flagship literacy initiative, the Prime Minister's Spelling Bee, opens for its fifth year on Monday. After the competition's record 70,557 student registrations last year, leading social demographer Mark McCrindle said the PM's Spelling Bee's surging popularity nationwide was part of a 'corrective' movement 'back to the real world'. 'We do need to master English for our future and parents are pretty clear on that,' Mr McCrindle said. 'Can our children write? Can they construct sentences? That (GIC) survey picked that up … literacy and numeracy really are front of mind for parents, through that practical lens of what it means for their (children's) future.' Recent McCrindle research has itself found that while parents support wellbeing as a focus in schools, they also want to know that students are equipped 'with foundation learning blocks and therefore with the ability to thrive'. 'That's why we're starting to see an intense focus back on the basics,' Mr McCrindle said. 'There's a need for priority and a recognition that maybe we've eased off a bit too much on the foundation responsibility of schools, and that's to deliver on numeracy and literacy.' The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) CEO Stephen Gniel agreed that 'early intervention is the key to improving educational outcomes'. As the nation's main measure of kids' essential literacy skills and knowledge, Mr Gniel said the results of ACARA's NAPLAN assessments were an important tool for teachers and parents 'to identify if a student is at risk of falling behind'. Now established on the annual calendar for educators teaching across years 3-8, the Prime Minister's Spelling Bee is an additional tool, delivered in schools as a free, fun challenge that kids simply enjoy. 'Literacy is one of the foundational skills that underpins learning and life, so it is fantastic that the Prime Minister's Spelling Bee is highlighting this important issue,' Mr Gniel said. News Corp Australia community ambassador Penny Fowler said the fifth year of competition was cause for celebration. 'The Prime Minister's Spelling Bee has fantastic momentum, growing in popularity every year and bringing to the fore the critical role literacy plays in educating young Australians and positively impacting their path to adulthood,' Ms Fowler said. 'Amid concerns about children's social media exposure, it's inspiring to see so many embrace the written word to unlock a lifetime of learning, reflecting Kids News' belief that education is an investment in future generations.' Fitzy's Nova co-host and devoted father of three Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli said the PM's Spelling Bee 'rewards concentration, curiosity and persistence'. 'Every child deserves the chance to shine through effort, not algorithms,' Wippa said. 'A good old-fashioned spelling bee offers more than just a chance to memorise words – it helps kids to slow down and build confidence at a time when many are overwhelmed.' A big believer in cultivating resilience in kids, Fitzy said the Bee was 'an unbelievable confidence-building' initiative. 'We need to start learning and adapting, combining the latest technology with those basic skills of literacy, English, grammar that we grew up with,' he said, likening his own sons' development to 'getting into the gym':'You're not going to see results straightaway, but when you do start seeing results, it's really fulfilling.' Catch Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie from 6am at Nova 96.9 in Sydney and nationally on Nova Player. ABOUT THE BEE â—� The Prime Minister's Spelling Bee is a free, online competition for students in Years 3-8. â—� Students compete at their school in three levels: Green level for Years 3-4, Orange level for Years 5-6 and Red level for Years 7-8. â—� They get 30 randomly selected words from their competition level and have 25 seconds to type each answer. The students with the most correct words in the fastest time progress to finals. â—� Teachers can register their students from July 21 when the school round begins. â—� The school round ends on August 22. State and territory finals will be held September 1-5 and the national finals on September 10-11. â—� The national champion in each age group wins a trip to Canberra to meet the Prime Minister, an iPad, HarperCollins book pack and a $1000 voucher for their school. FROM 'FUTURE STRESS TO CAN-DO KIDS Parents are worried children will pay the price for today's pressures and uncertainties – and kids are feeling it too. Research by online mental health service ReachOut found nearly half of 16-18 year olds (43 per cent) said 'future stress' was one of the issues concerning them most. ReachOut clinical governance lead Linda Williams said young Australians' worries included climate anxiety, world news and future jobs. While solid foundation literacy skills like spelling will always help young Aussies prosper, Ms Williams said ReachOut had some building blocks for parents to help children unburden themselves and embrace the future as can-do kids: Maintain open communication 'Regular check-ins about how they're going can be really helpful to understand what challenges they are dealing with, how these might change over time and how (difficulties) are impacting (them). Approaching conversations … with curiosity can help.' Try not to minimise or dismiss their feelings 'Trying to understand where they are coming from, what's causing them stress and how it's impacting them is a really important first step, which can come from conversations but also from observing their mood and any changes.' Identify options 'Once you understand more it can become more clear what kind of support and coping strategies could be helpful. That could include things like mental health support, scheduling in times for hobbies they love and screen breaks.' Practice self-care 'Parents are sometimes dealing with similar challenges themselves in real time too. (Having) the energy to support your young person when they need you is also vital,' Ms Williams said.
CBS News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Metro Detroit nonprofit sharing free books to children, teachers at book bank
A Metro Detroit nonprofit organization is expanding its services. Birdie's Bookmobile is on a mission to end book deserts and improve literacy across the area. A few weeks ago, the organization opened a book bank. Nestled on the corner of Fischer Street and Mack Avenue on the east side of Detroit is Birdie's Book Nest. "I just wanted to make sure that if I was setting up a brick-and-mortar, if I was setting up a book bank, that it was here in the community that has supported me," Alyce Hartman, Birdie's Bookmobile's founder & executive director, said. Unlike a bookstore, the literature at the book bank is free. There's a large variety, including picture books in different languages, chapter books and graphic novels. "I think that having a love of reading, and being able to be transported into other worlds and to use your imagination and creativity in those ways, that's what was so important to me," Hartman said. By registering for Birdie's Book Nest, kids get three free books a month, and teachers get 12. "You have to read in order to be anything you want to be," Chanelle Draper, first-grade teacher at Detroit Prep, said. "I've been here every Saturday since she started it, and I absolutely loved it." Every Saturday at 10 a.m. is storytime. This weekend, kids are learning about Miss Betti, a former lunch lady who improved the quality of food at schools in Detroit. Everyone who attends Detroit's Bookfest this year can help the nest continue to grow. "Birdie's will be at Bookfest with a variety of yellow bins stationed all over the market," Ryan Place, founder of Detroit Bookfest, said. "People who want to donate new or gently used kids books can put them in the bins, and birdies will collect them and take them all over the city to kids who need them." With books for all ages from infants to teens, plus a bookcase for adults, Birdie's Book Nest is a haven for beginners and avid readers alike. "I enjoyed reading as a child, and I wanted children to have that same experience," Hartman said. The hope is to open a second location on the west side of Detroit in the future. Detroit Bookfest is Sunday, July 20, at Eastern Market.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Prime Minister's Spelling Bee's big milestone as 2025 challenge open
The significant a-n-n-i-v-e-r-s-a-r-y on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's mind during his Rockdale Public School visit had nothing to do with his forthcoming wedding. Officially launching the Prime Minister's Spelling Bee's milestone fifth year, the man himself said 2024's record 70,557 student registrations promised that this year's fun national spelling challenge would be 'the biggest and best yet'. Mobbed at recess after meeting some of the southern Sydney school's top spellers, the PM said the Bee – run by free classroom news site Kids News – was especially timely for young Australians amid the current technological revolution. 'More than ever, your generation has to contend with technology that tries to tell you what to say as well as how to say it,' he said. 'This spelling bee is a way to build the comprehension and communication skills to speak for yourself. 'It's also a great way to boost your memory, a strength that will hold you in good stead right through life.' With registrations and the school round open from 9am AEST tomorrow, Mr Albanese invited all students across years 3-8 to take part. 'If you're reading this, I hope you have a crack at the 2025 Prime Minister's Spelling Bee,' he said. 'I wish you all the very best and I look forward to meeting the winners later in the year.' Rockdale PS principal Amy Ha said students and staff 'were all super excited' to host their VIP visitor for the launch, adding that literacy was 'the foundation of all learning and vital to student success'. 'Spelling has been undermined by texting and social media, so it is imperative that we, as educators, encourage students to develop strong spelling skills to ensure success in all areas of literacy,' Ms Ha said. Entering her students for the first time, Ms Ha said: 'The Prime Minister's Spelling Bee competition is a great way to motivate students to have a go and be part of the fun.' ABOUT THE BEE â—� The Prime Minister's Spelling Bee is a free, online competition for students in Years 3-8. â—� Students compete at their school in three levels: Green level for Years 3-4, Orange level for Years 5-6 and Red level for Years 7-8. â—� They get 30 randomly selected words from their competition level and have 25 seconds to type each answer. The students with the most correct words in the fastest time progress to finals. â—� Teachers can register their students from July 21 when the school round begins. â—� The school round ends on August 22. State and territory finals will be held September 1-5 and the national finals on September 10-11. â—� The national champion in each age group wins a trip to Canberra to meet the Prime Minister, an iPad, HarperCollins book pack and a $1000 voucher for their school.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Principals fear increase in students from poor communities leaving school without qualifications
Papakura High School principal Simon Craggs. Photo: RNZ / Luka Forman Principals warn the number of school-leavers with no qualifications could spike in poor communities this year. One South Auckland principal said as many as a third of teenagers leaving schools in Tai Tokerau and South Auckland could have no NCEA certificates - double the normal figures. Their warnings followed the release of results from high-stakes NCEA literacy and numeracy tests held in May. Before the Covid pandemic,14 to 17 percent of school-leavers in Tai Tokerau and South Auckland had no qualifications. The after-effects of lockdowns drove that figure to 21 percent in 2023. Principals had been hoping numbers would improve, but told RNZ pass rates of 39-49 percent for Northland and South Auckland teens in NCEA reading, writing and maths tests did not bode well. Looking at the socio-economic factors, 34 percent of students from the third of schools facing the highest barriers passed the numeracy assessment, 41 percent passed reading and 35 percent passed writing. Students could attempt the tests again in September, but Simon Craggs from Papakura High School said it was likely a significant number would fail and leave without an NCEA qualification. "A third would probably be realistic because you're going to have students in Year 13 who still haven't achieved the corequisites despite having Year 11, Year 12 working toward them," he said. Craggs said schools were working hard to help students over the line - either by preparing them for the September tests or through the 20 English and maths credits they could use until 2027 to meet the benchmark. Aorere College principal Leanne Webb said she had hoped the unqualified school-leaver rate would improve this year but there was a danger more young people would leave school unable to enrol in further study because they had failed the tests. "They'll walk away from school, there'll be no recognition of what they have achieved at school and when times are tough, and times are tough, and there aren't sufficient places in tertiary organisations for them, who gets shoved to the bottom of the heap? It'll be the kids that don't have a qualification. What is there for them then? Do they just get to roam the streets?" she said. Aorere College principal Leanne Webb. Photo: RNZ Webb said her students' achievement of the literacy and numeracy corequisite had improved, but for many that was due to the alternative 20-credit pathway rather than the online tests. She said the problem with that option was the 20 credits could not be counted toward the 60 required for an NCEA certificate. "If you take away 10 credits out of their English achievement and 10 credits out of their maths achievement, they then have to get another 20 credits on top of their programme in order to get NCEA, that's the problem," she said. "Last year, while we were pleased with our results, it came at the expense of achieving NCEA." Both principals said their students were doing better than last year but government-funded assistance had not been much help. Webb said her school did not take up the offered training because it did not fit with the school's timetable and Craggs said the training was of limited use. "I don't think the on-the-ground support that we have been looking for has really been provided. So we're just doing our own thing and working within our own resources to improve," he said. "There's certainly a lot more interest from our senior advisers at the ministry in our results and how things are going, but not a lot in the way of support." The next round of literacy and numeracy tests is scheduled for September. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Improving education is critical for our community. How you can help expand our reporting.
The Courier Journal has a long history of in-depth, investigative reporting that has led to positive changes for children and families in Louisville and across Kentucky Our series 'Between the Lines' took a hard look at why so many Kentucky kids can't read and uncovered a state-funded literacy center that was promoting a reading program that was failing our kids. Our stories led to changes in the state Read to Succeed Act, and lawmakers mandated structured literacy, a proven teaching method, for all of Kentucky's public K-3 reading classes. Our investigation into Jefferson County Public Schools' integration plan — "The Last Stop' and 'Magnetic Pull' — revealed the injustice of Louisville's busing program and showed how the city's magnet schools poach the best students from poor schools and jettison others who could hurt their elite standing. In the wake of our findings, leaders across the political spectrum called for an overhaul of the system. Our "Silence & Secrets" project exposed the disturbing prevalence of child sexual misconduct by Kentucky middle- and high-school coaches. State lawmakers had previously failed to pass legislation to deal with the problem. But after our series published, two out of three bills spotlighted as solutions in our project passed during the 2025 legislative session, and Gov. Andy Beshear signed them into law. One bill adds accountability for how coaches communicate with students, while the other raises awareness about sexual misconduct for athletes and coaches. Our projects have been solution-focused, and they have gotten results for our community. We want to do more of these in-depth projects that help improve education and the lives of Kentucky's children, but we need your help. If you believe this type of reporting is valuable, help us create an expanded, community-funded education reporting team that will focus exclusively on issues that impact how our children learn. The reporting team will be the essential component of the Courier Journal education lab — a solutions-driven project with the goal of offering promising ideas to combat persistent educational challenges. We know education is critical. It impacts all aspects of our cities and state — from health care to juvenile justice to workforce stability and more. The Courier Journal believes, and has demonstrated, that a crucial part of improving children's well-being and helping kids succeed in school is shedding light on the challenges our cities and state face, raising awareness of innovative solutions and engaging the community — parents, students, educators, civic groups and political leaders — in efforts to remove barriers affecting our children. That is exactly what our education lab would do, and that is why we are asking for your help. We are thankful for our first community donor, the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. The foundation does important work for young people and families in our state, and we are honored that its leaders have chosen to support the education lab. We are also excited to partner with the University of Louisville, offering their students learning opportunities and internships through the education lab. The need is great. Kentucky's kids have persistently ranked near the bottom of the nation when it comes to academic achievement. When you factor in issues that impact children's ability to learn — like poverty, adverse childhood experiences, racial disparities, lack of access to health care and mental health services — you start to understand the mountain our children must climb to attain higher levels of well-being and academic success. Consider these statistics: More than 20% of Kentucky children live in poverty, and that rate jumps above 30% for children of color (36% for Black children and 31% for Latinx children). Less than half of Kentucky's kindergarteners show up to school ready to learn. Only half of fourth grade students are proficient readers, and just 37% of eighth graders are proficient in math. These rates drop significantly for students of color. We believe a community-funded education lab would help. It's not a new concept. The Seattle Times started the first community-funded education lab in 2013 and has raised millions of dollars to support its reporting labs. There are now at least five community-funded education labs across the country. It is no secret that news organizations across the country are adjusting to a decline in traditional revenue streams. The Courier Journal is no exception. Despite our challenges, we are dedicated to doing the invaluable work of informing the public, holding elected officials accountable and providing a platform for the free exchange of ideas, which is central to a democracy. We are committed to doing our part to improve our community. Your support will help us do even more for those who need us the most — our children and future generations. To donate to The Courier Journal education lab fund, use this link: Thanks to our partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, your donation is tax deductible. If you have any questions or would like us to present our plan to your company or organization, please contact me at mirbyjones@ Thank you for supporting local news. Thank you for supporting The Courier Journal. Mary Irby-Jones is the editor of the Courier Journal and vice president and Midwest region editor. She can be reached at mirbyjones@ Follow her on Twitter @mirbyj. Donate to The Courier Journal education lab To make a tax-deductible donation to increase solutions-oriented, in-depth education and children's issues coverage in The Courier journal, go to This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: To expand education reporting, The Courier Journal needs your help Solve the daily Crossword
