8 February 2007
“Trials of this Every Child a Reader (ECAR) programme have shown those with greatest reading problems can catch up quickly if given such special help early in their time at school. Making the programme national will see 30 000 children now get this support”.
ECAR is designed to help 5 & 6 year old children with severe literacy difficulties learn to read. £10m was made available for specialist literacy teachers, trained in ‘Reading Recovery’ in 37 local authority areas. Now all areas will benefit from a roll out of the programme which will see 30,000 children receive intensive catch up reading support by 2010-11.
The scheme will also encourage these specialist teachers to offer broader expert support for reading and writing within a school, so their impact reaches beyond those receiving one-to-one support.
Local MP, John Healey said:
“Being able to read well is fundamental to anyone’s education but it can also be a joy. Research has shown that a love of reading improves a child’s life chances and that when children read for pleasure it improves their school results across the curriculum."
"It's vital that children of all ability are given the chance to read, just like their classmates."
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For further information please contact: Joanne Wilson, Research Officer to John Healey MP on 01709 512463
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