student2student

The reading gap in primary school between the lowest socio-economic students (SES) and the highest SES is equivalent to almost 3 yrs of schooling¹

The literacy foundations built by children during their primary and early secondary years are crucial to their ability to do well at school. Research identifies a clear link between the development of cognitive skills such as literacy and numeracy at an early age and higher levels of education achievement, greater employability, higher earnings and greater social participation.²

what is student2student?

Our student2student program works by matching students who need to improve their reading with peer Buddies who help and encourage them with their reading. Peer support is central to the program’s success. Evidence indicates that one of the best ways to support students who have reading difficulties is for the help to come from others near their own age.³

student2student involves the following groups of participants:

Students in Years 3 to 8 assessed as being up to two years behind in their reading development and want additional support to improve their reading.
Reading Buddies with good literacy skills who are at least two years older than the student. The Buddies are trained by The Smith Family to help their students develop reading confidence and skills, using the ‘Pause, Prompt, Praise’ reading support method.

The student2student program is currently delivered using three models as outlined below:

Landline:

Since around 2000, student2student has been delivered using landlines, with The Smith Family posting hardcopy books to both Buddies and Readers. However, Australian households are increasingly removing their landline phones, meaning that the landline model is not suitable for all potential participants.

Mobile:

Currently The Smith Family provides participants on this model with mobile phones and call credit. This allows more families to participate in the program, and eradicates the potential cost burden on disadvantaged families. Buddies are required to use their own mobile device when participating in this model.

Digital:

The student2student digital model is our most popular model. it enables students to connect using a website called Chatty Kids. Students read eBooks provided on the site and use the Voice over IP function to speak to their Buddy.

Each student and Buddy read two to three times a week for at least 20 minutes, over an 18 week period.

how does student2student help?

For more than a decade student2student has been annually evaluated and has consistently realised reading improvements in participants. Reading improvement is assessed through the implementation of a pre and post-program reading test and surveys with all participants (readers and Buddies), including feedback from parents. Since its inception, the program has proven the value of peer to peer reading.

In 2022, a detailed analysis of data for 1150 student2student participants was carried out. Students, Buddies and parents were also asked to complete surveys about their experience of the program.

94% of students improved their reading
74% of students agreed they read more having completed the program
80% of students agreed the program helped them feel more confident with school work
88% of parents reported children felt better about themselves
93% of parents report their child’s reading has improved.

Before introducing the program nationally, The Smith Family trialed and independently evaluated the student2student program for three years in New South Wales.

You can help disadvantaged Australian children get the most out of their education and create a better future for themselves. Join our community of volunteers and help us to provide the support these children need.

volunteer

what our participants tell us

"It was good reading to someone that I didn't know because they didn't judge me when I made mistakes." - student2student participant

"The best part about being involved with student2student [is] knowing that I was helping my buddy, not just in school but for the rest of her life." - student2student reading buddy

Related links

student2student

One of the best ways to support students who have reading difficulties is for the help to come from others near their own age.

Let's Read

Let's Read encourages parents and carers to read with their young children and helps them to develop their child's ability to name letters, play with word sounds, and love books.

Let's Count

Let’s Count helps early childhood educators improve their own mathematics education confidence, knowledge and skills so they can better support families about everyday numeracy concepts.

¹Department of Education Science and Training (2005), Teaching Reading: National Inquiry into the Teaching of Literacy, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra
²Australian Council for Educational Research Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs (MCEEDCDYA) 2010 National Assessment Program: Literacy and Numeracy Report
³Rohrbeck,C.A.et al (2003) Peer-assisted learning interventions with elementary school students: a meta-analytic review. Journal of Education Psychology, 95(2), 240-257