National NAPLAN scores released yesterday show that one in three Australian school students are still not meeting literacy and numeracy benchmarks, and more than one in ten are so far behind they require additional support.
These literacy results tie in to recent findings from the Grattan Institute that reported one in three Australian students are poor readers, as well as recent ABS findings which report declining rates in leisure reading amongst children and young people.[1]
Research shows that reading for pleasure is four times more influential on intellectual progress in teens than having a parent with a degree.[2] Reading also has proven positive effects on mental health and self-esteem, with 74% of children agreeing that reading is a way to help them understand the world.[3]
The latest NAPLAN results show that too many Australian children are missing out on the life-changing benefits of reading.
Action to both improve literacy skills and embed a long-term love of reading is critical. Evidence shows direct links between positive attitudes towards reading, frequency of reading, and reading attainment at school.[4]
The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) highlighted the importance of school libraries in tackling falling reading rates. “Urgent action is needed to ensure that all students have access to a well-resourced school library run by qualified staff. Without this, teachers, parents and the whole community face an uphill battle to encourage a reading culture in our young people,” said ALIA CEO Cathie Warburton in ALIA’s statement.
Australia Reads joins the call seeking urgent action to support reading in our schools. Alongside funding the critical infrastructure that supports reading, we also call for the creation of a national reading engagement policy, as well as investment in targeted reading programs and campaigns to stop this downward trajectory.
Find out more about our ongoing work to get more Australians reading by signing up to our monthly enewsletter.
Want to learn more?
- Read Professor Robyn Ewing’s key principles for designing early years literacy programs
- Explore our key takeaways from literacy educators on building a reading culture in schools
- Read our top 7 tips on supporting Australian teens in reading for pleasure
- Find out more about the Grattan Institute’s findings and recommendations for reading reform
Citations:
[1] Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021-2022, Cultural and creative activities, ABS, Australia
[2] Sullivan, A., & Brown, M. 2013 ‘Social inequalities in cognitive scores at age 16: The role of reading.’ CLS Working Papers
[3] Scholastic, 2019 Kids and Family Reading Report
[4] Clark, C., and Douglas, J. 2011 ‘Young People’s Reading and Writing An indepth study focusing on enjoyment, behaviour, attitudes and attainment’, National Literacy Trust
