TextNow® 2009-10 evaluation completed

Posted 03.09.2010

The 2009-10 pilot of the TextNow® programme across 23 sites in England and Wales was completed in August 2010. We would like to thank coordinators, coaches and young people at all the sites that took part – schools, learning support units, pupil referral units, FE colleges, training providers, youth offending teams and a young offenders institution. Thank you for your commitment to the success of the programme and the valuable feedback you provided to enable us to develop and improve the TextNow programme.

In total, just over 300 young people participated in the TextNow programme between October 2009 and June 2010, and the young people’s data was analysed to provide a full evaluation of the programme. At the end of the programme, there was a significant increase in the proportion of young people who reported enjoying reading, and a significant increase in the range of texts young people read. The number of young people who felt positive about reading something to themselves increased from 41% to 58%.

We are pleased that those coordinators and coaches who completed the survey about the online training were generally very positive, with 74% reporting that, following the online training, they felt well or very well prepared to coach on TextNow, and over three-quarters describing the training as relevant or very relevant to their role on TextNow.

The feedback received through the surveys was used to inform developments to the training, and the improved training was made available to those delivering TextNow from September 2010.

Many coordinators have kindly shared their experiences with us of delivery of TextNow. Some of these ideas will be included on our website, in guidance for new sites, and within the training. Thank you for sharing your ideas and experiences.

Following feedback from coordinators, the TextNow programme model was slightly amended in 2010-11. The programme now lasts ten weeks rather than 12 weeks (although the requirement to provide 20 minutes of coaching time each day remains the same). The amounts of the attendance awards also changed to 50 pence a day with a £10 bonus – which enables us to offer the programme to even more young people.

If you are interested in running TextNow, please visit the TextNow section or email textnow@unitas.uk.net.