- Published:
- Monday 4 September 2023
Victorian students will get the tailored learning support they need to thrive at school, with the Andrews Labor Government extending the successful Tutor Learning Initiative until at least the end of 2025.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins today visited Sunshine North Primary School to announce $485 million to extend the program for the next two school years, with a focus on getting literacy and numeracy support to students who need it most and building their confidence.
Victorian students at all government and low-fee non-government schools will continue to benefit from the program, which will play a key role in building on the progress demonstrated by Victoria’s nation-leading NAPLAN results.
Victoria recorded the lowest proportion of students in the lower NAPLAN bands in the country – a testament to the difference the program’s first two years have made.
This investment will now make sure every student identified as ‘Needing Additional Support’ in the 2023 and 2024 assessments at a government school will get it.
Tutors work with small groups of students who have been identified by assessments or by their teachers as needing extra help in their literacy and numeracy.
Individual schools determine how tutoring support is implemented, tailoring it to the needs of each student.
In a new element, the program will now also provide tailored education support for 500 students in the care system who have become disengaged from school in care settings.
Lost educational opportunities have a cumulative effect on the lives of children in care – limiting their future opportunities and perpetuating the disadvantage they face over time. This program will provide a trauma-informed approach to re-engaging these students in learning, with continued and consistent support.
This support will complement the vital work of schools as the primary place of learning, by delivering support beyond the school gate – reaching students who, for many reasons, are unable to access in-school help.
This extension brings the Labor Government’s total investment in the Tutor Learning Initiative to $1.2 billion – supporting more than 120,000 students in government schools so far this year alone and employing more than 5,400 tutors in government schools.
The tutor program called on pre-service teachers, teachers on leave, retired teachers and casual relief teachers to sign up and get back in the classroom – with at least one tutor in all government schools.
An independent evaluation by Deloitte found that the benefits of the Tutor Learning Initiative extended beyond academic achievement, to include improvements in student engagement and teacher practice.
Quote attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“Our tutors have made an incredible difference for thousands of Victorian students over the past two years. We’ll keep doing what matters – making sure every child is given the support they need to succeed at school.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins
“Tutors’ tireless hard work in schools across the state has been paramount to keeping our kids on track – but we’ll continue this work to make sure every child is supported.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Child Protection Lizzie Blandthorn
“We’re expanding this program to prioritise children and young people in care to support them to better engage with their education.”
Quote attributable to Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman
“Extending the Tutor Learning Initiative is a tribute to the dedication of our educators and means more children will be given the support they need to succeed at school."