The NSW Centre for Effective Reading (NSW CER) is a NSW Department of Education initiative that partners with NSW Health. It is a state-wide Department of Education specialist service for primary, rural and remote students.
The NSW CER supports students with complex reading difficulties. This individualised support is offered to eligible government and non-government schools.
Comprising a multi-disciplinary team of teachers, psychologists and speech pathologists, the NSW CER collaborates to provide a ‘wrap-around’ support for 12 months of intervention.
The centre supports schools, parents, students and communities through face-to-face partnerships and virtual connectivity.
Assessment services
Multi-disciplinary teams undertake assessments in four hubs located at Dubbo, Wagga Wagga, Manly and Westmead. These teams comprise of specialists, including an educational psychologist, a speech pathologist and a teacher.
Intervention services
Using information gained from assessment, the staff at the centre develop a plan for reading intervention in collaboration with the parents/carers and partner school. The student’s school implements the plan for reading intervention under the guidance of the specialist staff from NSW CER staff.
Specialist staff from the NSW CER supports the implementation and monitoring of the intervention for 12 months. The Centre for Effective Reading teachers use systematic monitoring to ensure prompt action to support students not making expected gains.
Regular scheduled meetings throughout the 12 months with the partner school staff, parents and NSW CER provides clear communication regarding the intervention. Student programs are adjusted throughout the 12 months of support to ensure the program meets the needs of the student.
Referral to the NSW CER
Eligibility
Principals from eligible government and non-government schools can refer a student with complex reading difficulties to the centre.
Students eligible to access the intervention have not responded to reading intervention provided at the student’s school.
Referral process
Eligible schools complete an online referral to refer students to the NSW CER. The centre provides all eligible schools with information about the referral process which occurs in Term 2 and Term 4. Preceding the panel process for selection, outcome advice is provided to schools.
Find more information at the NSW CER website.