The Rockliff Liberal Government is putting literacy first for every Tasmanian child, and delivering on our long term plan to improve educational outcomes.
Education and government specialist Dr Michele Bruniges AM has been appointed as the inaugural Chair of the Lifting Literacy Outcomes Monitoring Group.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the Government is committed to lifting literacy through evidence-based practice.
"Dr Bruniges' accomplishments and extensive experience in the Australian education landscape are exceptional and make her the ideal candidate for this critical role," the Premier said.
"Her contribution to reform in the education sector at state and national levels saw her awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2012 and the National Gold Medal Award from the Australian Council for Educational Leaders in 2015.
Dr Bruniges will be joined on the independent panel by:
- Dr Jenny Donovan, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Research and Education Organisation;
- Dr Lisa Denny, Adjunct Associate Professor with the Institute for Social Change at the University of Tasmania;
- Amy Haywood, Education Program Deputy Director at the Grattan Institute;
- Anne Hay, an experienced school leader in Tasmanian schools;
- Becky Shelly, Deputy Director, Aspiration and Attainment of the Peter Underwood Centre;
- Brian Yeaman, a Tasmanian with lived experience of overcoming literacy challenges; and
- Mat Healey, Acting Deputy Secretary, Policy and Delivery Division, Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Premier Rockliff and Minister for Education, Children and Youth, Roger Jaensch, thanked the members of the Monitoring Group for their interest in working to lift literacy rates in the State.
"Our Government wants every Tasmanian child to have the best possible opportunities in life, and our clear goal is for Tasmania to have 100 per cent functional literacy," Minister Jaensch said.
In June, the Government's Literacy Advisory Panel recommended forming a Monitoring Group in its final report.
Premier Rockliff said the Government moved quickly to establish the Monitoring Group, which will act independently.
The Monitoring group will report directly to the Premier on the progress of the literacy reforms and provide advice to ensure every child receives evidence-based literacy instruction.
"The Literacy Advisory Panel's recommendations will support our comprehensive, evidence-based reform in literacy instruction," the Premier said.
The Rockliff Liberal Government is delivering on its long-term plan to ensure we reach our goal of 100 per cent functional literacy.
