The Federal Government has confirmed that over $138 million in Commonwealth reward funding will be awarded to the country's states that achieved Smarter Schools National Partnership for Literacy and Numeracy program standards.

 

“This is the first time that States and Territories are being measured against the targets they set for themselves, and rewarded for delivering improved literacy and numeracy results,”  School Education Minister Peter Garrett said.

 

States and Territories have received a share of the funding based on their performance against their specific targets in literacy and numeracy in 2010.

 

 “Overall we are seeing really significant progress in our nation’s schools, with States and Territories either meeting or making progress toward achieving about 80 per cent of their targets last year.

 

The Federal Government is providing up to $540 million in funding over four years under the National Partnership for Literacy and Numeracy, including up to $350 million in reward payments in 2010-11 and 2011-12.

 

Mr Garrett said a total of $175 million had been set aside for reward payments this year, and the unused funding will be rolled over into reward payments for next year as an incentive for continued improvement.

 

“Each education department had the opportunity to negotiate their literacy and numeracy targets based on their own specific circumstances, including measures such as participation in NAPLAN testing, improvements in NAPLAN results, and increased student attendance,” he said.

 

“Schools have used the Partnership funding to invest in a range of innovative teaching programs, such as employing literacy and numeracy coaches, delivering personalised learning plans for disadvantaged and Indigenous students, and targeted home reading programs."

 

State and territory funding is as follows:

  • New South Wales - $46.8 million
  • Victoria - $9.4 million
  • Queensland - $48.5 million
  • Western Australia - $11.2 million
  • South Australia - $14.1 million
  • Tasmania - $3.1 million
  • Northern Territory - $3.4 million
  • ACT - $1.9 million

Further information about the Smarter Schools National Partnerships is available at www.smarterschools.gov.au.