Strong Foundations
About the program
Strong Foundations is an ACT Government program helping every public school to deliver a consistent approach to learning – including how we teach literacy and numeracy.
This program is enabling ACT public schools to work together, designing a shared approach to learning that is based on how we know students learn best.
Our shared approach will ensure ACT public schools are more consistent for students, families and teachers.
Strong Foundations will provide:
- evidence-informed and consistent teaching practices in every classroom
- common assessments, including a year 1 phonics test
- advice and resources for parents, to support their children with literacy and numeracy
- improved approaches to supporting students with different needs.
Why it’s important
Providing the best possible education of our children sets them up with the best chance for success.
The research and evidence about learning tells us that some approaches work better than others. This is why we are designing a shared approach, based on what we know works best for all students.
We also know that we need to work with our ACT public schools to make teacher workloads more manageable.
The improved resources, tools, professional learning and advice provided to ACT public school teachers will help reduce teacher workloads.
Key achievements
In 2023, an expert panel made 8 recommendations to improve literacy and numeracy in ACT public schools. The ACT Government accepted all 8 recommendations and developed the Strong Foundations Implementation plan.
In 2024, the program delivered:
- new curriculum resources for preschool to year 2 students
- literacy and numeracy assessment toolkit for primary and high schools
- the universal Year 1 Phonics Checks for all schools with Year 1 students
- new professional learning resources for staff.
In 2025, the program delivered:
- a new Learning and Teaching Policy
- new guides for teachers and school leaders
- decodable readers in every ACT public primary school
- a mandatory assessment schedule for 2026.
Next steps
In late 2025, an independent review of the program was completed by former members of the Expert Panel. Their advice has helped shape the next stage of the program. The full review report is now available.
In 2026, we are continuing to work collaboratively with principals and experts to implement the program.
We are focused on supporting our teachers to ensure that all students have access to the best possible learning.