So far this year, New Brunswick has spent 2 million dollars to put 36 “literacy lead” teachers back into provincial schools; to try and reverse slumping literacy rates.
Officials say that improving literacy rates is crucial for New Brunswick’s economy, and the quality of life of children and families.
A recent Provincial Literacy Assessment in Reading at Grade 2, showed that just under 74 per cent of kids met or exceeded the appropriate achievement level in reading, a drop of 3.1 per cent points from the last survey.
The goal is 90 per cent literacy.