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Year 3 students who achieved national benchmarks, 2005Indigenous studentsAll students10080Per cent6040200Reading Writing NumeracySource: MCEETYA (2007); table 6A.3.1.The gap in school performance between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students isevident from year 1 onwards. Studies have shown that, unless preschool learningand early primary school assistance are provided, underperforming students arerarely able to catch up. Support for Indigenous parents, who may themselves havelimited education, is a key factor in ensuring that their children are encouraged to dowell at school.Box 1.35Things that work• The Scaffolding Literacy Program improved the literacy levels of Indigenous childrenat the Kulkarriya Community School on Noonkanbah station in the Kimberley regionof WA, and has been extended to other schools in the region (box 6.3.2).• Since 2005, a MULTILIT (Making Up Lost Time In Literacy) Tutorial Centre hasoperated at Coen State School, a remote community in Cape York (box 6.3.2).• The Yachad Accelerated Learning Project is a professional tuition programmeunderway in five locations throughout Australia. It provides after hours tutoring forthe lowest performing students (box 6.3.2).• Sixty-two schools in the NT participate in the Accelerated Literacy Program, withsignificant improvements in literacy outcomes for the students involved (box 6.3.2).Positive childhood and transition to adulthoodThe later years of childhood, adolescence and the transition to adulthood are criticalphases in a person’s development. A good foundation in early childhood can beOVERVIEW 35