An Expert Panel has been appointed to conduct an independent inquiry into literacy and numeracy performance in the ACT.

Canberra Liberals MLA Jeremy Hanson called last month for the ACT Government to conduct an independent inquiry into literacy performance in the ACT.

Mr Hanson was concerned that literacy in ACT Government schools was underperforming, and had fallen over the last 20 years, recent reports showed. According to the latest NAPLAN results, one in three Year 9 students did not meet proficiency benchmarks for reading; a quarter of students fell behind in spelling; and around one in 10 students were unable to read or write at the basic level. Mr Hanson said the ACT education system was letting down school teachers, and support and administrative staff.

At the time, education minister Yvette Berry defended the ACT’s literacy rates, but agreed to the inquiry. Ms Berry observed that the ACT was the highest performing Australian jurisdiction in reading literacy, as measured through international assessments PISA and PIRLS; and that the equity gap in reading had narrowed between 2018 and 2021. She acknowledged, however, that 2022 data shows the equity gap in reading has widened, due to the sustained duration of the pandemic.

 “I look forward to receiving the Expert Panel’s advice to ensure the ACT delivers the best possible education for all our children and young people, particularly those who start school without the advantages of some of their peers,” Ms Berry said.

“We know the ACT performs well compared to other jurisdictions, but we are always striving to improve.

“This inquiry provides us with an opportunity to look at what is being done well in the ACT, as well as what has worked well across Australia and around the world.

“Through the inquiry, we will gain local insights into the opportunities for strengthening literacy and numeracy outcomes for all ACT public school students, with a particular focus on equity. The inquiry will also look at how supports for educators and students could be enhanced.”

The members of the Literacy and Numeracy Expert Panel are:

Professor Barney Dalgarno (Chair)
Executive Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Canberra

Professor Mary Ryan
Executive Dean of the Faculty of Education and Arts at the Australian Catholic University

Professor Catherine Attard
Professor in Mathematics Education and Deputy Director of the Centre for Educational Research within the School of Education at Western Sydney University 

Associate Professor Pauline Jones
Associate Professor at the School of Education at the University of Wollongong

Tim McCallum
Executive Director of School Performance for the Regional North Operational Directorate in the NSW Department of Education

The Expert Panel will work with, and seek to reflect the views and aspirations of, the ACT community. It will consult with academics, educators, unions, parents, carers, and students. Details of an open public submissions process will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Expert Panel’s report will be tabled in the Legislative Assembly by the last sitting day in June 2024.

The Terms of Reference, as well as more information about the Expert Panel’s inquiry and members, can be found at: www.education.act.gov.au/literacyandnumeracyinquiry.