School Standards Minister Estelle Morris today welcomed the publication of an international study which praised the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies as one of the most comprehensive education reform programmes in the world. The report was written by a research team from the University of Toronto (Professors Michael Fullan, Kenneth Leithwood, Lorna Earl and Nancy Watson) and is the first of a series of annual evaluations to monitor the progress of the strategies.

The report says that the government’s focus on education has "been widely accepted and endorsed by both the public and teachers. In particular we heard many comments about the necessity to pay attention to high quality early instruction in English and Mathematics. In comparison with other efforts at large scale reform across developed nations, the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy is amongst the most comprehensive and fully developed. Enhancing literacy and numeracy is a clear vision for education in England."

It says that the strategies are "impressive reform levers that have considerable potential to establish an infrastructure for lasting change. The evidence to date seems to indicate modest but significant gains being made in literacy and numeracy across the country."

Ms Morris said:

"This report is very good news and confirms that we are on course with our literacy and numeracy strategies. Professor Fullan and his team have recognised that these are innovative and important programmes that will make a real difference to children’s lives.

"I welcome the praise for the clear vision that the strategies have given in enhancing literacy and numeracy in England, and also recognise the challenges that the team has identified. We are already beginning to address them as the strategies become embedded in schools.

"We have always believed that they would be a big part of our drive to raise standards in schools and it is a great tribute to all the teachers who have been teaching the Literacy Hour and the daily maths lesson that they have received international recognition."

Recent press reports have indicated that literacy and numeracy amongst school leavers is causing concern amongst employers offering positions as part of the government's New Deal initiative.