QuickSmart Numeracy and Literacy are award-winning* responsive, small-group intervention programs that aim to develop fluent (Quick) and efficient (Smart) strategy use. The programs are aimed at middle-school students whose numeracy or literacy outcomes are below minimum standards. QuickSmart is designed to enhance a student’s fluency in either numeracy or literacy (reading and comprehension) by improving their information retrieval times.
QuickSmart uses evidence-based instructional strategies to support the learning of persistently low-achieving middle school students so that they are more actively and successfully engaged in inclusive classroom settings. Independent analysis of independent, norm-referenced test results for over 72,000 QuickSmart students show that they consistently achieve up to three years’ academic growth over a recommended 90-lesson period. Teachers report student improvements in behaviour, higher levels of confidence and self-esteem, and increased classroom involvement.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the program can be viewed here. Parents of students can read parent-focused FAQs here and students can click here for student-focused FAQs. More general information for schools can be viewed below.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A QUICKSMART INFORMATION BROCHURE
Aims of the Project
QuickSmart combines pedagogical and research objectives, with research informing sound teaching practices. The program’s pedagogical aim is to close the achievement gap between targeted students and their average-achieving peers.
QuickSmart supports students experiencing learning difficulties or delays who aren’t reaching their academic potential. These students may face challenges due to knowledge gaps, insufficient practice, mild intellectual disabilities, anxiety, low confidence, or behavioural issues.
The program develops accuracy and automaticity in basic academic skills through lessons that emphasize conceptual understanding and explicitly teach key strategies. QuickSmart provides intensive intervention in foundational knowledge and skills, equipping middle-school students to engage more successfully with classroom instruction. It’s designed as a cost-effective, long-term program for students needing to improve basic mathematics, reading, vocabulary, and comprehension skills.
The research aims address identified gaps in middle-school learning difficulty research by:
- investigating QuickSmart‘s effectiveness in improving students’ fluency with basic academic skills
- observing how improved basic fluency affects performance on demanding academic tasks, including state-wide and standardized tests
Students experiencing ongoing failure in upper-primary and lower-secondary school face significant challenges in post-school opportunities and societal contribution through employment and citizenship. Those with persistent weaknesses in basic skills, such as number fact recall or reading comprehension, are particularly vulnerable. Australian data shows substantial systemic achievement decline for these students from Year 3 through Year 7 in reaching National Benchmarks.
National assessment data (NAPLAN 2008) supports the compelling need for instructional programs improving numeracy outcomes for the lowest 30% of achievers, including those at or below national benchmarks. Indigenous students, those in geographically isolated areas, and students from low socio-economic backgrounds particularly need such programs.
This project has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of New England (Approval No. HE23-191, Valid to 18/12/2026).
Program Recognition
In October 2020, QuickSmart was awarded the HTB Harris Award for an innovative program that has proven to successfully fulfill an educational need or problem over time. Professor John Pegg said: “The idea of QuickSmart is that if at-risk learners are given a genuine second-chance to succeed, the results can be life-changing. Many tens of thousands of learners in Australia can now testify that this statement is true for them.”
QuickSmart was awarded highest ratings in the field of Education on research Engagement and Impact by the Australian Research Council (ARC) in its national assessment of research contribution to the broader community and the economy.
Introduction Video Series
In this 5-part video playlist, Professor John Pegg introduces the QuickSmart program and discusses how it works in a school environment. More videos can be found on our YouTube Channel.