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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 10 Hansard (24 November) . . Page.. 2828 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

The Government has gone beyond keeping up with, and participating in, the national agenda on literacy skill development. I think we are leading the nation in implementing successful literacy strategies. Our success in that respect is measurable. We are up front and accountable to parents and to the broader community on what is happening with literacy in ACT government schools.

We have now presented detailed, understandable and relevant information to parents and carers on their children's progress in literacy for the past two years. In both of those years the overall pattern of achievement of ACT students is indeed very pleasing, but we have not and we will not, indeed we cannot, rest on our laurels. The literacy assessment instruments that are being used in schools provide valuable diagnostic data. That data enables teachers to target areas that most need improvement and to address the particular literacy development needs of individual students accurately.

The literacy strategy, school literacy teams and classroom teachers will continue the terrific work already under way on further improving literacy standards in our ACT schools. The feedback I am getting is that schools and the literacy teams are working very productively in the development of individual school literacy plans. The successes we have achieved in literacy in primary school will be extended to government high schools from the start of next year.

I would like to take this opportunity to commend the commitment and professionalism of ACT teachers who have entered into enhanced literacy strategies in schools with enthusiastic willingness. I am also very happy to see parents being involved in this process through the P&C. That is also absolutely essential. I thank Mr Berry for his comments and I commend the papers.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Community Safety and Minister Assisting the Treasurer) (5.16): I move:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

I received an email today. Members will probably find it on their own computers when they go upstairs. It says, "A sum of money was found on the first floor of South Building today. Please contact the Principal Attendant if you have a claim". I think I can throw some light on that matter. I understand the amount lost was $400m. If Mr Berry would like to come to the attendant's office, he can claim that amount of money.

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