The Living Literacy Framework and the E&I Literacy Action Plan Valerie Neaves Alberta Works Programs Alberta Asset Building Collaborative March 17, 2011

Literacy Issues Overview of Living Literacy Framework Importance of literacy for E&I Literacy and Essential Skills The E&I Action Plan Next Steps

International Adult Literacy Survey The International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) was a seven-country initiative first conducted in the fall of Its goal: to create comparable literacy profiles across national, linguistic and cultural boundaries. Results of the first International Adult Literacy Survey (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Statistics Canada, 1995), demonstrated a strong plausible link between literacy and a country's economic potential.

Literacy in Alberta Levels 4 and 5 —Strong skills Individuals at these levels can process information of a complex and demanding nature. Level 3 — Adequate to cope with the demands of everyday life and work in an advanced society This roughly denotes the skill level required for successful high school completion and college entry Level 2 — A capacity to deal only with simple, clear material involving uncomplicated tasks People at this level may develop everyday coping skills, but their poor literacy skills make it hard to conquer challenges such as learning new job skills. Level 1 —Very poor literacy skills An individual at this level may, for example, be unable to determine from a package label the correct amount of medicine to give a child. Learning to Read Reading to Learn

Diagram from “Living Literacy: A Literacy Framework for Alberta’s Next Generation Economy”, p % of Albertans read prose at Levels 1 and % of Albertans read documents at Levels 1 and % of Albertans read prose at Level % of Albertans read documents at Level 3. 21% of Albertans read prose at Levels 4 and % of Albertans read documents at Levels 4 and 5.

Definition of Literacy Literacy is more than the ability to read and write. It involves the knowledge skills and abilities – the competencies – that enable individuals to think critically, communicate effectively, deal with change and solve problems in a variety of contexts to achieve their personal goals, develop their knowledge and potential and participate fully in society.

Living Literacy: A Literacy Framework for Alberta’s Next Generation Economy Advanced Education and Technology, Education, and Employment and Immigration –Literacy is lifelong –Literacy is complex –Literacy has personal, social and economic benefits for everyone Four priority action areas: –Increase Literacy –Build Awareness –Enhance Opportunities –Facilitate Partnerships

Living Literacy Framework Measures Outcome By % of adult Albertans will have a minimum level 3 on international adult literacy measures Indicators (increases in) Number of adults participating and progressing in foundational literacy programs (less than high school equivalency - level 1&2) The introduction of new and innovative approaches to literacy development in adults The proportion of adults scoring level 3 and higher on International adult literacy measures The number of employer supported workplaces literacy and essential skills programs Employer satisfaction with skills and quality of work from education system graduates

What does Literacy have to do with E&I? The labour market demands higher levels of skills than in the past. Literacy skills are essential in all job-related training. Employees with higher literacy skills earn more income, are less likely to be unemployed. They have greater opportunities for job mobility, are more likely to find full-time work, and are more likely to receive further training. They also report higher self-esteem and fewer occupational injuries.

Role of Employment and Immigration in Literacy and Essential Skills Programs Career Services Career and Workplace Resources Work Foundations Programs –Adult Basic Education –Academic Upgrading –English as a Second Language –English Language Training Training for Work –Integrated Training –Occupational Training Workforce Partnerships –Workplace Essential Skills Training Pilot Projects Research

Literacy is more than the ability to read and write. It involves the knowledge skills and abilities – the competencies – that enable individuals to think critically, communicate effectively, deal with change and solve problems in a variety of contexts to achieve their personal goals, develop their knowledge and potential and participate fully in society. Essential Skills are the skills needed for work, learning and life. They provide the foundation for learning all other skills and enable people to evolve with their jobs and adapt to workplace change.

Literacy and the 9 Essential Skills Reading Text Document Use Numeracy Writing Oral Communication Working with Others Computer Use Continuous learning Thinking Skills –Decision making –Critical thinking –Job task planning and organizing –Significant use of memory –Finding information

E&I’s Literacy Action Plan Key themes for recommendations/actions –Quality Services and Programming –Working with industry –Increasing Collaboration and Communication

Moving Forward Increasing Collaboration and Coordination:  Coordinated and articulated communication with other ministries (AE, AET) adult literacy programming.  Use existing resources, (coordinate appropriately) to improve outcomes in literacy and numeracy.  Examine steps to promote literacy initiatives such as standardized curriculum and assessment resources Quality Services and Programming:  Explore options and tools for assessment and accountability of literacy and essential skills programs.  Support the development of best practices/standards of adult literacy and essential skills delivery  Provide literacy and essential skills learning opportunities relevant to the learner.  Review expectations of professional standards, knowledge and skills in teaching/facilitating adult literacy and essential skills. Work with Industry:  Report on current adult and workplace literacy initiatives that focus on increasing adult literacy, encouraging employer engagement.  Increase employer understandings in increased productivity by higher literacy levels.  Ensure that literacy and essential skills are promoted with industry and affiliated stakeholders.

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