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We want to hear about your journey in discovering the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy. Your a-ha! moments, your triumphs and your challenges. Whether you are a parent, teacher, student, grandparent, or employer. So write us something (300-500 words) or send us a short video clip and we’ll add it here on this page.

Blog Index

2024

Our feedback to Ministry on literacy supports LLA
Pending announcement on Tier 2 & 3 Literacy Supports LLA
We need the best for our most vulnerable children, and it is not Reading Recovery LLA
We must set our teachers up for success Leslee Allen
Job cuts and getting PLD right LLA
Allaying fears over mandate LLA
Knowledge Building Leslee Allen
Assessing ‘evidence-based’ claims LLA
Looking back to look forward LLA

2023

Our Literacy Policy White Paper LLA
LLA Post-Election Advocacy Update LLA
No child should be left out in the cold on literacy LLA
A Unique Chance For All Parties To Do What’s Right for Learners LLA
Quarter (25%) of NZ schools using Structured Literacy approach LLA
‘And + And’ rebrand won’t hide stale practice Emeritus Professor James Chapman and LLA
Rhetoric of Minister and behaviour of Ministry and ITE at odds LLA
Initial Teacher Training - the elephant in the room LLA
Lowering standards is not the answer to literacy crisis LLA
No need for political football LLA
An expert take on the literacy news this week LLA
Explicit teaching of literacy must not be buried in CPM LLA
We support the teacher strikes LLA
Office of Auditor General probing MoE LLA

2022

Principal calls for Govt to scrap Reading Recovery LLA
Reading Recovery refresh - not good enough LLA
Minister ill-informed, Strategy hollow LLA

2021

We write to Māori Affairs Select Committee LLA
Reaction to Select Committee Report Emeritus Professor James Chapman
Holding Feet to the Fire LLA
Structured Literacy is an Equalizer for ESOL Students Marianne Brown
Funding Your Structured Literacy Journey LLA
Features of good education research Emeritus Professor James Chapman
Reading is fundamental to success in Maths too LLA
Helping to better understand poor attendance and engagement LLA
Free evidence-based resources LLA
My Aha! Moment as a Literacy Intervention Teacher Marianne Brown
The Claimed Success of Reading Recovery is Based Largely on a Myth Emeritus Professor James Chapman
Knowledge is Power Bex Street, Whakarongo School, Palmerston North
Abandon our Literacy Myth Emeritus Professor James Chapman
MPs urged not to leave change to chance LLA
Phonics Fanatics? Definitely not! LLA
Helping ESOL learners - Rosemary’s story Robertson Road School, Auckland

Bronwyn Bayne Bronwyn Bayne

Looking back to look forward

A wrap up of all the positive developments in literacy policy and teaching practice over the past year in New Zealand and our focus for the year ahead.

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Bronwyn Bayne Bronwyn Bayne

LLA Post-Election Advocacy Update

Find out what we have been up to over the past 12 months and what our focus is now that we will soon have a new Government and Minister in place.

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Bronwyn Bayne Bronwyn Bayne

Rhetoric of Minister and behaviour of Ministry and ITE at odds

We are concerned that the rhetoric of the Minister and the behaviour of the Ministry and ITE providers does not align in regard to the elimination of balanced literacy practices and the Minister’s firm adherence to implementing evidence-based practice

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Bronwyn Bayne Bronwyn Bayne

Initial Teacher Training - the elephant in the room

This report summarises feedback received in late 2021 from 237 teachers on the quality of teacher training they received at New Zealand universities on literacy instruction. There is a lot of room for improvement!

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Bronwyn Bayne Bronwyn Bayne

An expert take on the literacy news this week

Listen in as Professor Emeritus of Educational Psychology at Massey University, James Chapman, provides some serious food for thought on the new Common Practice Model and some of the controversial elements of the National Party's education policy.

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Bronwyn Bayne Bronwyn Bayne

Office of Auditor General probing MoE

Give your feedback to the Office of the Auditor-General on how the Ministry of Education uses information to understand and address inequities in education.

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Ako Space Ako Space

Holding feet to the fire

We recap over advocacy efforts over the year, including a link to our latest letter to the Associate Minister for Education setting out five key areas that need to be addressed in the Literacy Strategy. We also provide the first iteration of our ‘Report Card’ of the Government’s progress on permanently and efficiently lifting literacy for all.

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