Two Rs, no matter what

National will give parents of struggling students "reading vouchers" to pay for private tutoring as part of its education policy expected to be outlined by party leader Don Brash today.

In his fourth major policy speech since becoming leader, Dr Brash is expected to concentrate on the compulsory education sector and on numeracy and literacy.

As part of its literacy policy, National intends to introduce reading vouchers for parents of primary school children. It will also introduce a set of national educational standards for 7-year-olds. If a child fails to meet the reading standard, and is not helped by reading recovery, the child's parents will be able to apply for reading vouchers.

The parents will then go to a broker who will help select a reading tutor. The vouchers are expected to be worth between $600 and $700, which would provide around 20 hours of tutoring.

National aims to ensure that every child leaves school able to read and write "no matter what their parents' income or where in the country they are".

Today's speech, at Westlake Girls' High, is also expected to outline National's policy on private schools.