Budget Bulletin: Successful Literacy Program Expands

Every student entering junior high school in Nova Scotia should be able to read and write -- the basic building blocks of success.

To help achieve this goal, giving our children a solid foundation in reading at an early age -- and evaluating their progress at critical grade levels -- is a government priority. This budget directs more than $900,000 toward additional literacy supports and testing. This program is one example of government strategically and responsibly investing in the priority areas of Nova Scotians.

This coming school year, the Active Young Readers Program will be expanded to include students in grades 4 to 6 and will focus on reading to learn. This program expansion has its roots in the successful elementary literacy program and will introduce more assessment measures to ensure young Nova Scotians are on the right track to achieving proficient reading skills before leaving junior high.

The new 4-to-6 program includes new books and resources for students and new training and professional development opportunities for teachers.

Additionally, government is committed to evaluating and assessing reading skills at critical grade levels. Through testing of their reading and writing skills, students who need additional assistance will be identified and provided support to give them the extra attention they need to meet their full potential in the language arts.

This coming school year, the results of the grade 6 language arts assessment to evaluate students’ reading and writing skills will be reported to parents for the first time. This will eventually be followed by an additional assessment in grade 9. Students are already assessed in grade 12.