New national indicators for literacy and numeracy will provide a
clearer picture of progress and support raising educational
standards.
The indicators will be set out in The Foundational Literacy and
Numeracy plan, published in September, and will include
publishing a range of personalised assessments data and
qualifications data positioned alongside wider information about
the education system to track our educational progress as a
nation. The plan will take a 0-16 approach, including focus on
early child development, speech and language and working with
parents and carers.
The Foundational Literacy and Numeracy plan will bring together
actions taken over this Senedd term to ensure every learner is
supported to develop the strong foundational skills they need.
Alongside the plan, new draft guidance will be published to give
schools absolute clarity about what should be learned when, as
well as clearer expectations on the importance of Systematic
Synthetic Phonics. The plan will also set out support for schools
to achieve this, focusing particularly on children who are
struggling and support for children to make the jump from primary
to secondary school.
The Education Minister will also celebrate Ymgolli/Go all in',
part of the National Year of Reading, at Aberystwyth library
which promotes the joy of reading by making it a part of every
day. The Minister and Cabinet Minister for Sport and Culture,
will meet children in to
talk about their favourite books, book recommendations and attend
workshops lead by authors.
The Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language, said:
Strong literacy and numeracy skills are essential foundations for
success in learning, work, and life. As a government we
have been clear that we will raise education standards and by the
end of the Senedd term, Wales should see sustained improvement in
literacy and numeracy for all learners. These national indicators
will help us track progress and provide clarity to schools about
how we want to see improvements and how best to support learners.
I want to make sure we use the data we already have available
through personalised assessments to establish where we are now
and determine the steps to get to where we want to be. We need
every learner to benefit and make the most of what our curriculum
has to offer.
Books can have a lasting impact by inspiring, strengthening
creativity and teaching us about the world. If we can
encourage young people to find a love of reading, they can take
this passion and the skills gained throughout their lives.
Ymgolli will help us to showcase the joy of reading and hopefully
inspire our young people to see the value of reading in all its
forms.
Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport,
Helen Fychan said:
"Reading helps capture children's imaginations and discover new
authors and books, alongside developing their literacy skills
Libraries are the beating heart of their communities and are
vital for lifelong learning. By encouraging a love of reading at
all ages, more people can benefit from the free books provided by
libraries as well as the other high quality services they
provide.
