Supporting english literacy and numeracy learning for indigenous students in the early years

The study provides much rich information about students and teachers as they engage in the processes of teaching and learning literacy and numeracy. It draws attention to the importance of a good start, attendance, engagement, supportive teaching strategies, strong links between schools\ud and their communities and school environments that recognise Indigenous cultures. It also notes that Indigenous students commenced school with a broad range of skills and abilities not dissimilar to many non-Indigenous students. Whilst school and geographical region accounted for much of the variation in student achievement, a number of factors were identified as related to subsequent\ud growth in achievement, including initial achievement, language backgrounds other than standard Australian English, attendance and attentiveness. We would hope that such information would enhance the professional development of teachers and provide them with information and ideas that\ud they could use in their classrooms. In that respect this publication has much to offer and the Advisory Committee commends it to the professio