Assessment, Tuition and Improvement

Lots of people at different stages and walks of life struggle with reading and writing but it doesn’t have to be that way. Everyone can learn to read – sometimes it just takes something more to help them ‘break the code’ of reading. That’s what we can offer.

We provide comprehensive literacy assessment and use this and other information to design a personalised program based on the students’ needs.

Literacy skills are important throughout life and needs can often change, so our programs can be adapted for people of all ages, from young children, primary and secondary students through to adults.

Raise the Bar Literacy is also able to offer programs in specific subject areas from Mathematics and Science to Humanities and study skills.

RAISE THE BAR LITERACY AIMS TO DO EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS – ‘RAISE THE BAR’ IN READING AND WRITING SKILLS FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.

Enquire Now

Literacy Programs

Emerging Readers

There are around 30% of children who, after a year of reading instruction at school, still can’t separate sounds (phonemes) in spoken words, these reflect the 20-30% of school children who continue to experience reading difficulties. So, a good start is imperative and Raise the Bar Literacy can make a difference for young children trying to grasp the skills of language through a variety of specific and explicit approaches and strategies.

Developing Readers

Raise the Bar Literacy has the licence to use the Intensive Reading Program developed by The Literacy House, Albury. This means that primary school age children who are beginning to fall behind their peers, for various reasons, can be helped to close the gap in their literacy skills with a personalised program designed to meet their needs.

Mature Students

As a student progresses though their education and into adult life, the demand on literacy skills increases as does their self-consciousness if they are struggling readers. Raise the Bar Literacy can help lift reading and writing skills for older students and adults with age appropriate assessments, approaches and programs.

Different Literacy Approaches

Raise the Bar Literacy is committed to personalised tuition based on our students’ needs so other approaches to learning literacy skills can sometimes be useful. Some aspects of THRASS, First Steps, Tactical Teaching or other programs may be appropriate in some cases to take our students to the literacy level they require or desire.

Other Programs

Mathematics

When the 2016 NAPLAN results were released to the public last December showing academic performance of primary and secondary students had flat-lined, Robert Randall, the CEO of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), said

“We need to step up from a more relaxed ‘she’ll be right’ approach and sort of say ‘actually literacy and numeracy are fundamentally important.'"

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-13/stalling-naplan-results-spark-calls-to-crack-the-whip-in-school/8113518

We can offer programs for primary, junior secondary and middle secondary students to help them close the gap, maintain or extend their skills to prepare them for the Mathematics they want or need to take at VCE or alternative level – if they start with all the skills, there will be no need for catch up - just pure learning of the VCE course requirements.

Science

'The full report from last year's "Trends in International Mathematics and Science study, released in March 2017, shows

“‘a national report card of year six students found their aptitude for science has not improved in a decade. Only 55% of students nationally were judged as proficient in science.’" (ACARA)

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-15/australian-students-slipping-behind-in-maths-and-science-report/8353202

Raise the Bar Literacy is committed to improving outcomes for students in Science and preparing them for the rigours of studying Science at VCE or equivalent level. We can offer programs, based on the Victorian Curriculum, to fill any gaps in science understanding or inquiry skills. Or your child may love science and want to extend themselves with a personalised program designed around their interests.

Humanities-History and Geography

Programs are available to prepare your child for upper school Humanities studies in various subjects and areas. The programs will be targeted at the skills and knowledge that is required for your child to succeed and follow the Victorian Curriculum standards.

Study Skills

To succeed in study at whatever level, students need to have great study skills and techniques. Raise the Bar Literacy can help you or your child develop and master these vital skills for optimising learning. We specialise in personalised programs targeting skills such as:

  • Note taking
  • Time management
  • Skimming and scanning text
  • Graphic organisers
  • SMART goal setting
  • Scaffolds for writing various text types
  • Organising study space
  • Mind maps for organising information
  • Helping you understand your learning style and making the most of it
  • Essay writing, improving grammar and spelling
  • Exam techniques

Raise the Bar Literacy can give you or your child the edge by tailoring a program for success in study.

Our People

Deb de Vries

Deb has been teaching in primary, secondary and alternative schools settings for around 25 years both in Victoria and Western Australia with the last 13 years in North East Victoria.

Having taught in many subject areas from Science and Mathematics to Humanities and English, Deb’s interest in language and literacy is always foremost in her teaching. This interest and dedication to literacy learning was strengthened during a stint as a Literacy Intervention teacher in a primary school and saw Deb work as part of the Literacy Leadership Team for that school.

With experience also in special education and alternative school settings, Deb is committed to providing quality tuition for those wanting to improve reading and writing skills and also in many other areas of education.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor of Applied Science
  • Graduate Diploma of Education
  • Post Graduate Certificate of Ancient History
  • Victorian Institute of Teaching Registration

Contact

  • For all enquiries please contact
  • Deb de Vries
  • raisethebarliteracy@gmail.com
  • (03) 57 214 420
  • 0427 988 688
  • Shop 6, 21-23 (The Strand) Reid St,
  • Wangaratta, VIC, 3677