CET's dedication to Literacy shines through MultiLit partnership
Catholic Education Tasmania (CET) is committed to creating better outcomes for our students. Through the Science of Reading and as part of our Literate Learners for Life initiative, we are teaching critical content to our students.
‘Making Up Lost Time in Literacy’ (or MultiLit as it is more commonly known) is a leading provider of effective literacy instruction in Australia. Their programs provide educators with a suite of resources that use scientific and evidence-based programs to help effectively teach reading to students. MultiLit's support has been instrumental in CET's pursuit of improved Literacy standards, and the collaboration witnessed in Tasmanian classrooms is a testament to the shared passion and commitment to improving outcomes for all students.
Shelley McGorman is the School Partnership Lead from MultiLit and was invited to the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office on Thursday, to speak to the St Thomas Aquinas Teaching School Institute cadets about Literacy and the support MultiLit provides to educators in Australia. She presented a workshop around the evidence in Literacy, answered questions from cadets, and held discussions on the importance of using the Science of Reading in the classroom. It is important for the cadets to have integral conversations with an industry expert and continue to improve their teaching practices so early on in their teaching career.
Through Literate Learners for Life and CET’s Insight project, MultiLit has been a vital partner in ensuring educators can advocate the Science of Reading and give students the best possible chance to succeed. CET's Literacy Project Lead Advisor, Lisa Fenning, explained how impressed she has been with the support MultiLit has provided. “We have been very impressed with the support offered by MultiLit for our system schools and teachers, they are always willing to answer questions and support us to make their programs have the greatest impact on student achievement.”
As well as holding a workshop with the St Thomas Aquinas cadets, Shelley visited several CET schools during her trip to Tasmania. CET is one of three larger education systems across Australia using MultiLit’s training across their system, and for Shelley to be available as a resource for our educators was a fantastic opportunity. Shelley was impressed with the collaboration she had seen in the classroom during her school visits in Tasmania. “I’m hearing, not only from Lisa [Fenning] but also from the educators who I have spoken to, that there is great passion and commitment to get it right.” Said Shelley, “I can feel the enthusiasm that teachers here get that it works, and that it’s going to have an impact.”
On Friday, Shelley and Lisa observed educators at St Therese’s Catholic School as they worked with students in small groups and as a whole class, using MultiLit resources to help improve Literacy in their school. Shelley values the opportunity to work alongside educators, visiting schools and helping educators improve their teaching practices is something she has a passion for. Lisa explained, “They’ve made themselves vulnerable here at St Therese’s by asking us to come in, they’re willing to give their time to not only have someone in their classroom but to listen to feedback too.”
CET has been using the MultiLit resources since the beginning of 2022, and Shelley was impressed with how well CET has engaged with the Science of Reading in such a short period. She believes there is value in a system-wide approach to teaching Literacy, as educators can learn from their fellow teachers, and this allows systems to take some responsibility for teaching Literacy within their schools. Shelley discussed, “The value in a whole system approach is that we can learn from the school down the road because we are all doing the same thing. As when we are doing different things, it can create barriers and schools can become silos.”
Catholic Education Tasmania's commitment to enhancing student outcomes through Literacy is exemplified by its partnership with MultiLit and its dedication to the Science of Reading. Shelley McGorman's recent visit and workshops provided valuable insights and support to educators, reinforcing the importance of an evidence-based approach to teaching in the classroom. MultiLit's collaboration with CET is a valuable resource, fostering a culture of enthusiasm and dedication among teachers striving to improve literacy standards. With their whole-system approach and initiatives like Insight and Literate Learners for Life, CET will continue positively impacting students, ensuring they receive the most effective literacy education possible.
