Reading and writing plan is unveiled

Thursday 28 October 2010

Reading and writing plan is unveiled

A national action plan to tackle illiteracy has been launched, targeting children and adults.

Education Secretary Michael Russell has now revealed the details, which he hopes will give support to all those who need help reading and writing.

The plan will see a greater focus on literacy in teacher training, early identification of children and families in need of help and will ensure adults with difficulties reading and writing have access to support and teaching. Literacy will be part of teaching across the curriculum and a new literacy qualification will be introduced for pupils in the later stages of secondary school. Mr Russell said he wants to break the link between poverty and poor literacy skills. He said: "Poor literacy levels, even among a minority, are unacceptable and this plan is designed to improve the literacy of all who need support." In Glasgow, figures show almost a third of S2 pupils fail to attain appropriate reading standards at the age of 14, and only half of male pupils are expected to reach the appropriate standards in writing, Almost one in five Scots has difficulty with reading and writing, according to the commission set up to tackle literacy problems in Scottish schools. The Literacy Commission has now called for a "zero tolerance" approach to tackling the issue. It found that 18.5% of children in Scotland leave primary school without being functionally literate -- around 13,000 youngsters each year. Mr Russell added: "We will ensure literacy development is a key priority for our youngest children as they take their first steps into learning. "At the other end of the scale, we will also make it easier for adults to access opportunities to enhance their skills." Parents will get school reports which will include information on their child’s literacy achievements and will be encouraged to get more involved in the reading and writing skills of their children. Vulnerable families will be targeted to get help early and will be offered additional support to prevent long term damage. Young people still in need of help will be offered ‘post-16 learning opportunities’. Employers will also be encouraged to give help to workers who want assistance to improve literacy skills.

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