39715 (2024). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister of Education

39715 (2024). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister of Education: Does the Minister agree with literacy expert, Yolanda Soryl who said she is pleased Aotearoa was using structured literacy but reading recovery should not be axed as a result; if not, why not?

Hon Erica Stanford: I acknowledge that Yolanda Soryl, and many other experts in literacy, are pleased Aotearoa New Zealand will be using structured literacy approaches to ensure our students gain the literacy skills they need. We have decided to reinvest critical education funding into effective, efficient literacy interventions for children that need them. These small group and individual supports will reinforce and extend the structured literacy teaching students will be receiving every day in their regular classrooms. Schools in New Zealand that are already teaching structured literacy approaches are seeing significant improvements in student achievement and a reduction in the need for additional support. Reprioritised funding from Reading Recovery will be available support for schools. Schools will be able to apply for this additional resource and it will be allocated through the annual staffing order process.