Reading Recovery is a research-based early intervention to reduce reading and writing failure for students in Year 1, their second year of school. It was developed in New Zealand by educator and developmental child psychologist Dame Marie Clay.

Reading Recovery has been an ongoing NSW government commitment since 1996. The government’s commitment to early literacy intervention resulted in the allocation of 400 positions to Reading Recovery over 4 years. The government has maintained 400 positions since 2000.

Reading Recovery is identified in the Strategic Action Area: Identification and Support in the State Literacy Plan 2006-2008.