National Adult Literacy Database

“Raising Adult Literacy Skills: The Need For A Pan-Canadian Response”

Series: Raising Adult Literacy Skills

Authors: Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

Collection: Learning Materials

On June 12, 2003, the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities tabled Raising Adult Literacy Skills: The Need for a Pan-Canadian Response. The report sets out a comprehensive analysis of literacy issues in Canada and makes a series of recommendations for actions to address those issues.

The Government of Canada recognizes that literacy skills are the foundation for learning – and for participation – in a knowledge-based economy and society. For this reason, the Minister of Human Resources Development asked the Committee to undertake a study of literacy issues. The Standing Committee has produced the first comprehensive Parliamentary report on literacy in Canada, and the Government of Canada welcomes the Committee's analysis, perspective, and advice on this important issue. The Government of Canada presents its response to the report.

Added: 2003-01-01

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See also:

• Réponse du gouvernement du Canada au rapport

Final Report of the Task Force on Adjusting to Environmental Change

Authors: Canadian Labour and Business Centre

Collection: Research Materials

This report examines the lessons from and makes recommendations on the activities by business and labour in addressing environmental pressures at the workplace and sector levels. The report is a synthesis of case studies done by the CLMPC in three sectors: forestry and forest products; mining; and chemicals. These sectors were identified as facing significant environmental responsibilities. The detailed description of the case studies is available in a background document "Case Studies in Adjustment to Environmental Change".

The report has been prepared by the CLMPC for Human Resources Development Canada. The work has been supervised and guided by a joint business-labour Steering Committee and represents their joint perspective on a range of issues that are likely to assume increasing importance in the future, particularly in how human resource policies are affected.

Added: 2007-06-20

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See also:

• La productivité durable : L'adaptation aux nouvelles priorités environnementales

Effective ABE/Literacy Instructors

Authors: Evelyn Battell, Leora Gesser, Judy Rose, Jan Sawyer, Diana Twiss

Collection: Research Materials

This research document examines the question, “What makes an effective ABE/Literacy instructor?” It documents the thoughts, feelings, strategies and techniques of some effective literacy/ABE instructors in British Columbia. Recommendations are also presented, intended to help institutions offering ABE/Literacy programs and ABE/Literacy practitioners, groups planning a research project, and funders.

Funders:

• OLES

Added: 2004-10-05

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The Peer Leadership-Empowerment Model: Impacts And Outcomes—An Exploratory Study

Authors: Marcia Drew Hohn

Collection: Research Materials

This exploratory study was undertaken by the author as part of a sabbatical project. The purpose of the report is to document the peer leadership model of health education developed in Massachusetts, and the impacts and outcomes of years of work using this empowerment model.

Added: 2004-05-10

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ViewPoints 2002

Series: ViewPoints 2002

Authors: Canadian Labour and Business Centre

Collection: Research Materials

This biennial survey was the fourth in a series initiated in 1996, and provides an opportunity to assess how the perspectives of these leaders on key issues have changed over six years. The 2002 survey received an 20% response rate, normal for surveys of this type.

This report summarizes key findings on healthy workplace practices from the Canadian Labour and Business Centre’s (CLBC) Viewpoints 2002 Survey. Research on the determinants and costs of workplace diseases supports the notion, expressed in the 2000 Viewpoints Survey by business and labour leaders, that psycho-social factors such as morale, trust and good working relationships play an important role in maintaining or improving workplace health, and that their absence can be costly.

Added: 2007-05-16

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See also:

• Pratiques dans un milieu de travail sain

Part I - Essential Skills & Employability Skills, Part II - PLAR

Series: Heavy Equipment Operator and Skilled Labourer

Authors: Workplace Education Manitoba Steering Committee

Collection: Research Materials

The Workplace Education Manitoba Steering Committee (WEMSC) funded a project to develop and pilot an entry-level curriculum for essential skills and employability skills for heavy equipment operators (HEOs) and skilled labourers. This report discusses the program development, participant selection, pilot deliveries, project evaluation, and recommendations for future application with prior learning strategies.

Added: 2009-04-01

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Reading the Future: A Portrait of Literacy in Canada

Series: International Adult Literacy Survey

Authors: National Literacy Secretariat (NLS), Secrétariat national à l'alphabétisation (SNA)

Collection: Research Materials

This report synthesizes the results of the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS), for Canada. IALS was a seven-country investigation undertaken in the fall of 1994. Its main goal was to create comparable literacy profiles across national, linguistic and cultural boundaries. Highlights from the Canada Report include :

Demographic distributions of literacy in Canada
Economic dimensions of literacy in Canada
Literacy practices in Canada
Measuring the success of the IALS
Appendices contain details on participants, literacy performance on three scales : prose, document and quantitative, as well as international standard occupational classification breakdowns at different group titles.

Regional distributions of literacy levels in Canada are examined, and results of IALS are compared with those of LSUDA (1989), Literacy Skills Used in Daily Activities. Other variables taken into consideration are : literacy and educational attainment, literacy and language, literacy and age. Under economic dimensions of literacy, researchers investigate relationships between literacy and employment.

The statistical data in the document are broken down by language, age, gender and religion. It provides new information with which to evaluate Canadian policy on literacy, education, and socio-economic development. The report gives Canadians a glimpse of their possible future, by opening a window on their life at home, in the community and in the workplace.

This publication is a joint effort of Statistics Canada, Human Resources Development Canada and the National Literacy Secretariat. It can be ordered at a cost of $49.00 through Statistics Canada, Operations and Integration Division, Circulation Management, 120 Parkdale Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1A 0T6, Tel. (613) 951-7277, or 1-800-263-1136, Fax (613) 951-1584. E-mail : order@statcan.ca (96.10.05)

Added: 1996-07-23

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See also:

• Faits saillants du rapport canadien

Literacy in the Information Age

Series: International Adult Literacy Survey

Authors: National Literacy Secretariat (NLS), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Collection: Research Materials

Literacy in the Information Age, the final report from the International Adult Literacy Survey, presents evidence on the nature and magnitude of the literacy gaps faced by OECD countries. It offers new insights into the factors that influence the development of adult skills in various settings - at home, at work and across the 20 countries for which comparable household assessment results are included. Findings point to large differences in the average level and population distribution of literacy skills both within and between countries. Low literacy skills are evident among all adult groups in significant - albeit varying - proportions. Literacy proficiency varies considerably according to home background factors and educational attainment in most of the countries surveyed. However, the relationship between literacy skills and educational attainment is complex.

Many adults have managed to attain high levels of literacy proficiency despite a low level of education; conversely, some have low literacy skills despite a high level of education. These differences matter both economically and socially: literacy effects, labour quality and flexibility, employment, training opportunities, income from work and wider participation in civic society. Improving the literacy skills of the population remains a large challenge for policy makers. The results suggest that high-quality foundation learning in schools is important but insufficient as a sole means to that end. Policies directed at the workplace and family settings are also needed. The employers' role in promoting and rewarding literacy skills is particularly important for skills development.

Added: 2000-04-20

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See also:

• Points saillants du Rapport final de l'Enquête internationale sur la littératie des adultes

Literacy Skills for the Knowledge Society

Series: International Adult Literacy Survey

Authors: OCDE, DRHC

Collection: Research Materials

While most people can read, the real question is whether their reading and writing skills meet the challenge of living and working in today's information-rich and knowledge intensive society and economy. This latest report on the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) Literacy Skills for the Knowledge Society tells us that literacy means more than knowing how to read, write or calculate. It involves understanding and being able to use the information required to function effectively in the knowledge-based societies that will dominate the twenty-first century.

The purpose of formal schooling has always been to ensure that new generations develop the skills they require. Yet, the challenge of maintaining and improving the literacy skills of adults is an issue that is much broader than formal education. The International Adult Literacy Survey reveals that literacy skills can be lost if they are not used throughout life. Consequently the study argues for the development of a culture committed to learning and to the creation of literacy-rich environments wherever people live and work, that is, in the home, in the community and in places of employment. It suggests that an investment in literacy is a long-term interest-bearing bond which pays substantial benefits for individuals, for employers and for nations.

Added: 2003-08-06

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See also:

• Faits saillants du deuxième rapport de l'Enquête internationale sur l'alphabétisation des adultes

A Profile Paper

Authors: Burt Perrin

Collection: Research Materials

Literacy is a major variable influencing health in a variety of ways. This paper discusses the significant health impacts of literacy. It identifies why literacy is a health issue and thus is relevant to Health Canada and to its mandate: “helping the people of Canada maintain and improve their health”. The paper touches upon some of the mechanisms by which literacy affects health, and suggests some of the ways in which the health field can respond.

The primary purpose of this paper is to heighten awareness within Health Canada about the importance of literacy in relation to health. It is intended to serve as a resource paper, for use by Health Canada's partners and collaborators. This paper may serve as a tool to stimulate collaborative action with respect to planning, policy and program development.

This paper starts with a brief consideration of the actual literacy skills of Canadians. It then reviews the evidence which indicates the strong impact of literacy on health, no matter how health is defined or measured. The paper considers the mechanisms by which literacy affects health, pointing out that this is through a combination of both direct and especially indirect means. The paper indicates that literacy is closely related with other determinants of health which have been identified.

Finally, the paper provides some ideas about what the health field can do to address the issues of the impact of literacy on health. It suggests some action steps, as well as areas in which further research could be useful.

Added: 1998-01-01

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See also:

• Effets du niveau d'alphabétisme sur la santé des Canadiens et des Canadiennes