Educators and families will soon have access to a broader range of resources and professional learning opportunities to support effective, evidence-based reading instruction for children. This follows the transfer of the community education initiative Five from Five to The Academy for the Science of Instruction.
The history of Five from Five
Launched in 2016 by Dr Jennifer Buckingham OAM, Five from Five has been a prominent initiative aimed at improving literacy outcomes. It has been a key voice in raising public awareness about the importance of explicit and systematic instruction in the five essential components of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Transition to The Academy for the Science of Instruction
Previously part of MultiLit, Five from Five’s move to The Academy comes as several regions, including Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory, are beginning to adopt evidence-based reading policies and practices. The Academy’s Dean, Dr Mark Carter, highlighted the alignment of Five from Five with the institution’s mission to upskill Australia’s teaching workforce.
Dr Carter noted, “Although thousands of studies on reading instruction have been published, Australia’s education system has been slow to integrate this evidence into policy and practice. For nearly a decade, Five from Five has filled this gap, providing essential knowledge and resources to educators and families.”
Meeting the demand for knowledge
Since its launch in mid-2024, The Academy has seen strong demand for its courses, indicating educators’ eagerness to support children in becoming effective readers. Dr Carter expressed confidence that Five from Five will continue to play a crucial role in disseminating essential knowledge and expanding the range of free educational and professional development resources.
A trusted resource for educators and families
Five from Five project manager, Maddy Goto, said the initiative’s website and resources, including professional learning webinars, have become a go-to for educators, teachers, and parents seeking to enhance children’s literacy.
Ms Goto said, “At Five from Five, we are driven to ensure as many children as possible receive the best literacy education. Last year, over 300,000 active users accessed our resources, with thousands more engaging through webinars and social media.”
Looking ahead
With the support of The Academy, backed by some of Australia’s most renowned education scholars, Five from Five is poised to achieve even greater impact. The initiative is set to continue promoting essential literacy knowledge and supporting its integration into education policy across the country.
Discover more about from Five from Five or join the latest series of professional learning seminars.