Funded February 2003

"Literacy education is like building fences at the top of a cliff,
rather than having an ambulance at the bottom."

The Gladstone Tutorial Centre is a community-based initiative that was established by Chris Tanner in 2000 after hearing an interview between Reverend Bill Crews and Margaret Throsby about a program that helped break the cycle of illiteracy.

The program consists of a solid combination of reading, writing and spelling instruction for half of each school day for 2 terms (6 months). Upon entry to the program, all students are assessed on a battery of literacy measures and then re-assessed toward the end of the program. All sessions are tailored to each student's individual requirements.

The day-to-day operations of the program are undertaken by two teachers and a teacher's aide each trained in "positive" teaching. See what they say about the program. View the video. Dial up connection | Broadband

Increasing reading skills has significant flow-on effects, especially for the student's self-esteem and sense of achievement. Many have not only improved their literacy skills but also their mathematical abilities once they are able to read the questions.

The Gladstone Tutorial Centre was recognised for outstanding service to young people when it received an International Year of the Volunteer Gold Award in December 2001. The Centre was again recognised on Australia Day when it's founder, Chris Tanner was named Citizen of the Year.