Catholic Schools in Canberra have made marked improvement in the reading performance of its students according to the Equity Economics report, prepared for the ACT Alliance for Evidence-Based Education.

The analysis found Catholic schools lifted the performance of Year 3 students in NAPLAN reading over the past four years after adopting Catalyst in 2020.

Ross Fox, director at Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, welcomed the report as an endorsement of the sector’s efforts to lift literacy outcomes.

“It’s great that the dedicated efforts of our teachers to improve learning for students is recognised in this way.

“We need more time to measure long-term outcomes, but we are seeing significant improvements in schools and classrooms and positive feedback from parents that we are on the right track and making good progress,” he said.

The Equity Economics report has urged others to adopt many of the changes made at Catholic schools under the Catalyst program.

‘Raising the grade: How schools in the ACT can lift literacy outcomes for students and the economy’ report cover page

Read the report here.