Local students to benefit from new phonics program

A NEW mandatory phonics course will be rolled out in local classrooms to ensure Victoria’s students remain the best performers in the country.

Phonics Plus will provide schools with a comprehensive approach to teaching reading using evidence-based systematic synthetics phonics.

Program resources will include a detailed scope and sequence course, alongside a set of Phonics Plus lesion plans which incorporate at least 25 minutes of daily and explicit phonics.

The lesson plans will align with the Victorian curriculum and contribute to reducing a high workload on teachers.

Minister for Education Ben Carroll said evidence national and internationally shows a clean phonics approach was the most effective method teachers can use to help students thrive.

“We are proud to set our youngest students up with literacy skills for life and reduce the workload of teachers, rolling the Phonics Plus program out across the state.”

Bellarine MP Alison Marchant said she was proud local students would benefit from the new program.

“We’re making sure that every child has access to a world-class education on the Bellarine in the education state.

“Whether it’s new schools, better classrooms or contemporary teaching resources – we’re investing in what matters to students, teachers and parents.”

The state government has already released the first tranche of lesson plans, with further plans available for prep teachers later this year.

Grade 1 and 2 teachers will be able to get access to lesson plans in the first half of 2025.