MULTILIT spells success for Indigenous kids
 |
Students in Coen have had a great time, and are learning a great deal, with the MULTILIT program. |
The outstanding success of the first MULTILIT (Making Up Lost Time in Literacy) program in the far north Queensland township of Coen, has its masterminds dreaming of extending it to primary schools across Cape York.
In 2005, Professor Kevin Wheldall and Robyn Beaman from the Macquarie University Special Education Centre, along with Noel Pearson from the Cape York Institute of Policy and Leadership, were hoping to establish a MULTILIT program in Coen. Just a year later, 10 Indigenous low progress readers have taken part in the first program, with their reading and spelling improving dramatically.
Establishing MULTILIT in Coen
Two MULTILIT tutors from Macquarie relocated to Coen (population 350) to teach the children for two terms. The program was conducted on school grounds for three hours every morning. In the afternoon, another hour-long program was run for the younger children who were just learning to read, but already lagging behind national literacy levels.
At the commencement of the main program, the students who were in Years 6 and 7 (NSW Year 5 and 6), were assessed and found, on average, to be nearly four years behind in reading.
MULTILIT has a strong emphasis on phonics-based teaching and involves intensive, small group instruction, which is demanding of both the teacher and the student. This extra work didn't faze the students, whose average attendance at school is 50 per cent. The MULTILIT program boasted a 75 per cent attendance rate.
"The kids love it, they just lap it up," says Wheldall. "Some people say phonics is boring - tell that to these kids. They don't find it boring at all, they have a great time, are learning a great deal and feel successful. Being successful is a great thing; it spurs them on to learn more."
Encouraging Results
In just six months the children progressed over a year on average in both reading and spelling skills. This average is on par with the results that have come from the Sydney MULTILIT program. "I wasn't really surprised that the results were so good, more reassured," says Wheldall. "All that kids need in order to learn to read is good instruction."
A new intake of students will commence at the beginning of term one 2006 with the current project's funding extending until the middle of this year. "We are very hopeful that the funding bodies will extend it when they see the results," says Wheldall.
If the funding is extended and increased, Wheldall hopes that the initial group of students can have further tuition, as the goal is to have them reading at age level when they go to high school. While their improvement is exceptional in just two terms, there is still some way to go.
Wheldall and Pearson believe that once the Department of Education, Science and Training see the ongoing results of the MULTILIT program, the sky is the limit. Maybe by this time next year, Indigenous students from across Cape York will have the same advantage as their peers in Coen.
For further information contact Kevin Wheldall at Kevin.wheldall@mq.edu.au or Robyn Beaman at Robyn.Beaman@mq.edu.au or visit the MULTILIT website at www.aces.mq.edu.au/musec_co_multilit.asp