Voucher-like scheme for reading tuition in Australia

In an Australian first, parents of Year Three children who need help to read will be given $700 for individual reading lessons.

The government initiative will provide funding of up to $6.85 million to support a new pilot Tutorial Credit Scheme with $700 on offer to parents whose child did not achieve the Year Three national reading benchmark last year.

Parents will be able to use the tuition credit to choose the most appropriate type of assistance for their children.

The pilot covers Victoria, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory - the only four states who report children's performance against national benchmark standards to parents. 

The tuition credits will be administered by brokers following a request for tender. Experienced tutors, including school teachers, will be able to register their interest in providing tuition.

It is envisaged that school teachers, especially in more remote areas, will play a significant role in providing the tuition outside school teaching hours.

The Australian government describes the national benchmarks as the minimum literacy and numeracy standards needed to make satisfactory progress in school. In 2001, 10 percent of Year Three students did not meet the reading benchmark.

More information, including a sample voucher, is at this web page.