Literacy Advisory Panel Terms of Reference

June 2021

1. Background Information

Improving literacy outcomes for all Tasmanians is a key priority for the Tasmanian Government and we are committed to achieving our aspirational goal of 100% functional literacy in Tasmania. Competence in literacy has a direct impact on individuals’ success in life, health and wellbeing as well as being crucial to economic growth and productivity.

In March 2021, the Tasmanian Government announced the establishment of the Literacy Advisory Panel to oversee the development of a community-wide framework to achieve a Literate Tasmania.  The Government acknowledged that improving literacy outcomes for learners is a whole-of-community issue that goes beyond the school gate.

Literacy improvement in Tasmania must be a whole-of-government and community-wide effort.

2. Purpose

The purpose of the Literacy Advisory Panel (the Panel) is to develop a community-wide framework to achieve a Literate Tasmania and the aspirational goal of 100% functional literacy.

The Panel will provide the Premier with a community-wide framework that:

i. Includes a review of the current literacy policies, approaches and supports in place in Tasmania in the early years, schools and adult learning environments, including but not limited to consideration of the following policies and initiatives:

• Adult Learning Strategy – Skills for Work and Life 2020-2023;
• Tasmania’s Strategy for Adult Literacy and Numeracy 2016-2025;
• Literacy Framework and Plan for Action 2019-2022 (including a focus on each of the early years, middle years, and upper secondary cohorts and the achievement of the Government commitment that all young people will meet an expected reading standard that is above the national minimum by no later than 2030); and,
• The Health Literacy Action Plan 2019-2024.

ii. Maps existing effort, including the organisations, plans and activity that currently support the establishment of a Literate Tasmania and identifies any gaps.  These may include evidence-to-practice gaps, and/or program, cohort or skills-gaps.

iii. Considers the efficacy of existing literacy measures and targets.

iv. Makes specific and targeted recommendations to inform and build upon existing literacy approaches and supports in the early years, schools and adult learning environments.

These recommendations should include a focus on:

1. Early Years – identifying approaches that support parents and carers and the community to ensure children start school with the oral language and communication skills necessary to be literate.
2. Schools – contributing evidence-based information, to inform the review of the Department of Education’s Literacy Framework and Plan for Action 2019-2022 (with a particular focus on the early years, middle years, and upper secondary as cohorts and the achievement of the Government commitment that all young people will meet an expected reading standard that is above the national minimum by no later than 2030) and non-government schools.
3. Adult Literacy – using evidence to advise on how adult literacy support could be further targeted to support all adults to participate fully in life, work and community.  This should particularly include supporting those adults who are parents and carers to be literate, recognising them as a child’s first and most influential teacher.
4. Literacy Measures and Targets – providing advice on existing or potential short and medium-term measurable targets across the life span (aligned with the long-term goal of 100% functional literacy in Tasmania) and associated data collection processes and reporting methods against these targets.

3. Membership

The expert Panel will be made up of at least nine members (including one ex-officio) and co-chaired by:

• the Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Jenny Gale, and
• the Director of the Peter Underwood Centre for Educational Attainment, Professor Natalie Brown.

The Panel will be supported by a Secretariat in the Department of Premier Cabinet Policy Branch.

The additional six members will be identified through a publicly advertised Expression of Interest process. These Panel members will be chosen individually to ensure they meet a desired mix of relevant knowledge, skills, and experience. The combined expertise of the Panel members will be drawn from the following areas (noting that members may bring more than one skill set to the task):

• national and international leading expertise in the science of, and evidence-based approaches to, language and reading,
• skills in literacy acquisition (and barriers to acquisition) in the community from birth to adulthood (including the current educational context with curriculum, assessment, and pedagogical knowledge of literacy development),
• teachers or educational leaders experienced in the change process of implementing a structured, systematic approach to literacy,
• clinical and allied health professionals, including speech pathologists and/or educational psychologists with experience in neuroscience and cognitive development, language, literacy and specific learning disabilities,
• education specialists with experience in instructional practices which meet the needs of all learners, including classroom structures, routines and the role of assessment in their instructional decision‑making,
• experience with organisational and delivery skills to facilitate major social change, and
• individuals who have a lived experience of literacy challenges.

The Department of Education Deputy Secretary (Support and Development) will participate as an ex-officio member of the Panel.

All members will be appointed on a voluntary basis until 30 June 2022.

4. The Roles of Members

In accepting an invitation to serve on the Panel, members must commit to making their time available to complete the work of the Panel.

Members will:

• share their skills, knowledge and experience to provide advice to the Panel,
• engage in open, honest and timely communication with group membership,
• respond to requests to review work within set timeframes, and
• be mindful that they are not representing any particular organisation but have been appointed for their knowledge, skills and experience.

In addition, the Co-Chairs will:

• be responsible for convening meetings of the Panel, and
• refer matters, provide advice or recommendations to the Premier for decision or review.

5. Support for the Literacy Advisory Panel

The Panel receives executive support through a Secretariat provided by the Department of Premier and Cabinet. The Secretariat works under the guidance of the Chairs to support the Panel in formulating its advice.

The Secretariat undertakes the research and analysis to support the work of the Panel and prepares meeting agendas in consultation with the Chairs. The final agenda will be distributed by the Chairs to the Panel at least three working days prior to each meeting.

Meetings will be recorded by the Secretariat and full copies of the minutes and other relevant correspondence will be provided to all members of the Panel no later than seven working days following each meeting. In addition and where required, the Peter Underwood Centre and the Department of Education will support the Panel in undertaking research and analysis of existing policies and practices and identifying key findings and themes.

6. Reporting

The Secretariat will provide a quarterly summary of the Panel’s work to the Premier or more frequently when required or requested. The summary will be approved by the Chairs.  The Panel will present the framework and a final report to the Premier by the end of June 2022.  The Premier will publicly release advice provided by the Panel ensuring all sensitive and confidential information is protected.

7. Meetings

The Panel meets at least every two months. Information may also be shared via webinars and papers may be circulated for comment or endorsement out-of-session, if required.

8. Conflict of Interest

Members will be asked to declare any perceived or actual conflicts of interest when they apply to join the Panel.

9. Confidentiality

Members will be asked to sign a Confidentiality Declaration when they join the Panel.