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