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NWT Literacy Strategy

NWT Literacy Strategy. Presented to Standing Committee on Social Programs June 4, 2008. Overview. NWT Literacy Strategy 2001-2005 History Summative Evaluation Renewal Process NWT Literacy Strategy 2008-2018 Revised definition Updated goals and objectives Literacy Funding Allocations

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NWT Literacy Strategy

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  1. NWT Literacy Strategy Presented to Standing Committee on Social Programs June 4, 2008

  2. Overview • NWT Literacy Strategy 2001-2005 • History • Summative Evaluation • Renewal Process • NWT Literacy Strategy 2008-2018 • Revised definition • Updated goals and objectives • Literacy Funding Allocations • Next Steps

  3. NWT Literacy Strategy History • In 2000, the NWT Legislative Assembly passed Motion 6-14(3), which recommended the development of a comprehensive strategy to address NWT Literacy needs • Towards Literacy: A Strategy Framework 2001 – 2005 was developed in consultation with the social envelope departments and other GNWT departments and agencies • $2.4 million of annual funding was allocated to implement the Literacy Strategy • The money was dedicated where funding gaps existed, particularly in the area of adult literacy

  4. NWT Literacy Strategy History • A wide range of initiatives took place: • Extension of adult literacy programming into all NWT communities • Corrections literacy • Community literacy programs • Seniors’ literacy • Workplace literacy • Virtual and community libraries • Learning support for adults with disabilities • Literacy resources and research • Literacy promotions

  5. NWT Literacy Strategy Summative Evaluation • The NWT Literacy Strategy Summative Evaluation, completed in March 2007, assessed the first five years of the Literacy Strategy implementation • Summative evaluation data was gathered through extensive stakeholder consultations and review of literacy program records • The summative evaluation identified a number of successes and challenges

  6. NWT Literacy Strategy Summative Evaluation Literacy Strategy successes: • Awareness of literacy throughout the NWT • Increased literacy partnerships and networking • Investment of $2.4 million annually • Greater evaluation and reporting • International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey (IALSS) data • Expansion of the concept of literacy beyond just reading and writing

  7. NWT Literacy Strategy Summative Evaluation Literacy Strategy challenges: • Need for long-term solutions • Duplication with other GNWT strategies • Lack of baseline data at the beginning of the strategy • Data collection and reporting problems • Insufficient financial and human resources • Lack of multi-year funding at the program level • Staff turnover • Inconsistent communication

  8. Summative EvaluationRecommendations for a New Strategy • Should be informed by the research from the evaluation and the International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey • Hire a dedicated Literacy Strategy coordinator • Target a few key areas rather than spreading resources thinly • Ensure that the goals and objectives are realistic and measurable • Adopt a multi-year funding approach that filters down to the project and program level • Design and implement a new evaluation framework for data collection and reporting • Implement a communications plan • Ensure that partners play an active role in the design and delivery of the new Literacy Strategy

  9. Literacy Strategy Renewal Process • Towards Literacy: A Strategy Framework – 2008-2018 document drafted • Draft 2008 Literacy Strategy informed by research from the NWT Literacy Strategy Summative Evaluation and the International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey (IALSS) • Acting upon recommendation #8 from the summative evaluation, ECE established a multi-stakeholder Literacy Strategy renewal working group • Representatives from ECE, Health and Social Services, Justice, Aurora College, NWT Literacy Council, NGO literacy service providers and industry participated in the working group • Working group met from October 2007 – May 2008 to revise literacy definition and draft new Literacy Strategy goals and objectives

  10. NWT Literacy Strategy Vision • Our vision for the Northwest Territories is of a society where: • All people can read and write, • All people can actively participate fully as citizens, • Literacy is valued as a lifelong learning process necessary for personal, social, political and economic development, and • People value literacy in all official languages of the NWT. • Our vision builds upon Northerners Working Together, the Government of the Northwest Territories’ vision, goals and priorities and strongly supports the vision of: • Strong individuals, families and communities sharing the benefits and responsibilities of a unified, environmentally sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories.

  11. NWT Literacy Strategy Definition Literacy is  - the lifelong development  - of a broad range of skills  - in one or more of the NWT official languages  - for the purpose of expanding anindividual’s potential   - for optimal health, personal success - and positive participation in community wellness and development.

  12. NWT Literacy Strategy Definition • Literacy skills encompassed in literacy definition: • Reading print • Writing • Numeracy • Speaking and listening • Observation and visual representation • Critical thinking and problem solving

  13. NWT Literacy Strategy Goals Four Literacy Strategy goals: • Increase literacy levels of people of all ages in the NWT • Support literacy in the official languages of the NWT • Build integrated partnerships across the NWT to address literacy priorities • Build community capacity to meet local literacy needs

  14. NWT Literacy Strategy Goals and Objectives Goal 1: Increase literacy levels of people of all ages in the NWT 1.1 Early Childhood 1.1.1 Ensure early literacy development and family literacy training and supports are available to community-based family support programs 1.1.2 Promote the use of Aboriginal culture, language and literacy within early childhood programs 1.1.3 Increase opportunities for families with young children to participate in family literacy activities in every NWT community 1.1.4 Keep families and communities well informed and promote the importance and benefits of early literacy development in all official languages

  15. NWT Literacy Strategy Goals and Objectives Goal 1: Increase literacy levels of people of all ages in the NWT 1.2 School Age Children 1.2.1 Provide support for literacy development in the K – 12 school system 1.2.2 Expand family literacy initiatives to include school age children and their families

  16. NWT Literacy Strategy Goals and Objectives Goal 1: Increase literacy levels of people of all ages in the NWT 1.3 Youth (16 – 25) 1.3.1 Provide alternative approaches to support literacy development for out-of-school youth 1.3.2 Provide literacy supports for out-of-school youth through community partnerships

  17. NWT Literacy Strategy Goals and Objectives Goal 1: Increase literacy levels of people of all ages in the NWT 1.4 Working Age Adults (16 – 60) 1.4.1 Develop an integrated approach to adult literacy programming, which includes a broad range of support for learners 1.4.2 Promote innovation by implementing Best Practice approaches to adult literacy programming 1.4.3 Increase support for adult literacy practitioners 1.4.4 Ensure standardization of ALBE programs in the NWT 1.4.5 Increase awareness of and support for workplace literacy and essential skills programs

  18. NWT Literacy Strategy Goals and Objectives Goal 1: Increase literacy levels of people of all ages in the NWT 1.5 Elders/Seniors (60+) 1.5.1 Ensure Elders/Seniors have access to a continuum of literacy supports that enables them to function independently

  19. NWT Literacy Strategy Goals and Objectives Goal 2: Support literacy in the official languages of the NWT 2.1 Language Acquisition in Aboriginal Languages 2.1.1 Support family literacy in the Aboriginal languages 2.2 Aboriginal Language Resources 2.2.1 Develop resources in the Aboriginal languages 2.2.2 Support language communities in the preservation of traditional stories and knowledge 2.3 Community Aboriginal Language Support 2.3.1 Provide progressive language training in every community at all levels

  20. NWT Literacy Strategy Goals and Objectives Goal 3: Build integrated partnerships across the NWT to address literacy priorities 3.1 Support integration among GNWT departments and agencies by establishing a NWT Literacy Steering Committee 3.2 Promote the integrated use of resources between GNWT and external stakeholders

  21. NWT Literacy Strategy Goals and Objectives Goal 4: Build community capacity to meet local literacy needs 4.1 Support community partnerships to successfully implement community literacy plans 4.2 Increase access to community library services

  22. NWT Literacy Strategy New Elements • Updated Literacy definition • Continues to focus on literacy across the lifespan, but adds a focus on youth at risk • New goal that focuses on building community capacity • Increased emphasis on supporting Aboriginal Language Literacy • Objectives and actions have been narrowed down to focus on specific literacy initiatives

  23. Literacy Funding Allocations • ECE HQ $687K • NWT Literacy Council (235K) • Disability Supports (100K) • ECE Regional Offices 673K • Community Literacy Development Fund • Aurora College 776K • ALBE Community Program Delivery • NWT Libraries 210K • Aboriginal Languages 300K • Community Literacy Projects 136K

  24. Other Sources of Literacy Support Funding • Early Childhood programming $4.7M • Includes Language Nests (725K) • School Age programming • Education Authority Funds 135M • Implementation of Aboriginal 7.9M and Culture Directive • Working Age Adults • Aurora College ALBE programming 3.3M • Official Languages • Aboriginal Languages 3M • French Language Community 345K

  25. Next Steps for Literacy Strategy • Develop Literacy Strategy accountability framework • Finalize and publicize Strategy documents • Table in NWT Legislative Assembly – Fall 2008 • Hire Literacy Strategy Coordinator • Establish NWT Literacy Strategy Advisory Committee

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