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Introduction to Bethany Catholic Primary School’s Move to Explicit Instruction
Principal Joanne Webster, at Bethany Catholic Primary School in Werribee North, emphasizes that the adoption of explicit instruction as a game-changer has been a significant step forward for the school. She talks about the improvement in the school’s numeracy and literacy results between 2023 and 2024, stating that these results are the starting point for a transformative phase of education.
Introduction to Explicit Instruction and Its Benefits
The school already played a leading role inPokemon Road to the Future and phonics programs, which are designed to teach the core reading and writing skills of students. However, to further enhance numeracy and literacy outcomes, explicit instruction was introduced this academic year. This approach involves breaking down concepts into small, manageable pieces and providing students with opportunities to practice and apply each piece, ensuring they retain previously learned knowledge and skills.
Impact on Student Proficiency
The introduction of explicit instruction has led to measurable improvements in numeracy and literacy proficiency. Specifically, the student body’s numeracy proficiency increased by 13.6% and literacy proficiency by 17.6% between 2023 and 2024. These gains indicate that explicit instruction is effective in addressing areas where students falter, particularly in the summer break, where students’ gaps could otherwise diminish.
Reducing Gaps and Enhancing Recall
The reduction in gap sizes between struggling and high-performing students underscores the benefits of explicit instruction. Principal Webster explained that this method enables students to identify knowledge gaps at a responsive level, allowing them to overcome them with ease. Furthermore, she noted that students are more engaged and remembered what they’ve learned even during the summer break, thanks to the strong working memory that builds over time.
Teacher Confidence and System-wide Leadership
Principal Webster also highlights the confidence of teachers, stating that this improved approach has strengthened their confidence in supporting their students. She mentions that teachers are becoming more confident, with expert insights emphasizing that explicit teaching strategy is rooted in research and has proven effective in facilitating deep learning and long-term retention of skills.
Broader Impacts Across Melbourne Dioceses
The move to explicit instruction was integral to a broader shift in education quality across Melbourne’s Catholic dioceses. The Melbourne Archdiocese’s research findings indicate that schools adopting explicit instruction can expect better results, particularly in foundational skills. Moreover, the government’s recent decision to enhance quality educational circumstances in all schools further underscores the importance of this commitment to student success.
Progression and Future Outlook
The key lessons conveyed by Principal Webster reflect on Bethany Catholic’s role in driving educational reform. Explicit instruction not only improves student outcomes but also strengthens teachers’ ability to support learning. The broader achievement of girls andikip eventual future explanatory conclusions, Dr. Trisha Jha, a researcher and advocate for education, notes that this change is a response to a growing recognition of the need for explicit instruction in the digital age. The school’s focus on explicit teaching will continue to lay a solid foundation for its students as they progress through an educated future.
