Adult Literacy in the Northwest Territories

1. Adult Literacy in the Northwest Territories

2. Overview • NWT demographics • International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey (IALSS) • Adult Literacy and Basic Education (ALBE) program • 2009 - 2010 NWT Literacy Strategy initiatives to support adult literacy

3. NWT Demographics • 2008 NWT population: 43,268 • Children, 0 – 14: 9,635 • Youth, 15 - 24: 7,252 • Adults, 25 – 59: 22,782 • Seniors/Elders, 60+: 3,614 • Total NWT population, 15+: 33,648 • Number of NWT adults, 15+, without high school diploma: 10,900 (34.8%)

4. International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey (IALSS) • Before IALSS, the NWT measurement for literacy was self-reported grade levels from census data. • The measurement for low literacy was grade 9 or less. • This usually meant that an individual sat in a grade 9 classroom at one time. • IALSS provided us concrete data on actual adult skill levels.

5. What IALSS Measured • IALSS measured four adult skill domains on five levels. • Level 5 is the highest level of literacy. • Level 1 is the lowest level of literacy. • Level 3 is considered the international standard for functional literacy.

6. IALSS Skill Domains • Prose literacy – using information from texts, such as news stories, brochures and instruction manuals. • Document literacy – using information from a variety of printed materials, such as forms, schedules, charts and maps. • Numeracy – managing the mathematical demands of diverse situations. • Problem solving – goal-directed thinking and actions in situations for which no routine solution exists.

7. Level 1 Numeracy Task Find the total number of bottles.

8. Level 2 Document Literacy Task Identify the country other than the Netherlands in which women teachers are the minority.

9. Level 3 Document Literacy Task Describe the relationship between fireworks sales and injuries.

10. Level 4 Prose Literacy Task Write in your own words one difference between the panel and the group interview.

11. NWT IALSS Results • 42.6 % of NWT adults were below level 3 in prose literacy. • Scores in the other three domains were lower. • 11,000 NWT adults are below functional literacy.

12. Aboriginal/Non-Aboriginal NWT Adult Skill Proficiencies • IALSS confirmed a wide discrepancy between NWT Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal adult literacy levels in all skill domains and for all age groups. Percentage of NWT adults, 16+, below functional literacy (IALSS level 3)

13. Prose Literacy

14. Document Literacy

15. Numeracy

16. Problem-Solving

17. Adult Literacy and Basic Education (ALBE) • ALBE program allows NWT adults to upgrade their literacy skills. • K – 12 level instruction in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Information and Computer Technology (ICT), and Career Planning/Life Skills. • ALBE equivalencies: 110 (K – 3), 120 (4 – 6), 130 (7 – 9), 140 (10 – 11), 150 (12 applied), 160 (12 pure). • Aurora College offers ALBE in 23 community learning centres and three campuses. • ALBE also taught at two non-governmental organizations in Yellowknife.

18. Adult Literacy and Basic Education (ALBE) • Average annual enrollment in ALBE is 500 adult learners. • Changing ALBE demographics – increasing numbers of students under 25. • Majority of ALBE students are women with families. • ALBE 140 – 160 is quite successful with many students progressing to postsecondary programs or transitioning to the work force. • Recruitment and retention of adult learners with very low literacy (ALBE 110 – 130) remains a challenge all across Canada.

19. 2009 -2010 NWT Literacy Strategy Initiatives to Support Adult Literacy Objective 1.4.1 Develop an integrated approach to adult literacy programming, which includes a broad range of support for learners. • Research into learning barriers and success factors for adult learners. • Non-academic outcomes research and follow-up applications. • Development of prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR) course to validate learners’ knowledge and skills. • Learning Support for Persons with Disabilities program.

20. 2009 -2010 NWT Literacy Strategy Initiatives to Support Adult Literacy Objective 1.4.2 Implement innovative approaches to adult literacy programming. • Increased learning opportunities through distance education, especially in smaller communities. Objective 1.4.3 Increase support for adult literacy practitioners. • Annual professional development (three regions) for adult educators and ALBE instructors. • Development and distribution of culturally relevant instructional resources suitable for adult learners.

21. 2009 -2010 NWT Literacy Strategy Initiatives to Support Adult Literacy Objective 1.4.4 Ensure standardization of ALBE programs in the NWT. • Implement NWT Secondary School Diploma for adults. • Development of ALBE placement package. • Revisions of English curricula. • Development of new courses for Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Career Planning and Life Skills. • Development of learner assessment instruments (exams) for ALBE English and Science.

22. Parting Thoughts • In today’s society, rapid changes in technology and expansion of knowledge are driving an increase in skill demands. • What was considered an adequate skill level 10 years ago is not considered adequate today. • Because technology and knowledge are still expanding, we can assume that adequate skill levels for today will not be considered adequate 10 years from now. • Because skill demands are continuously increasing, NWT adults who lack sufficient literacy skills are falling farther and farther behind. • It is imperative for NWT adults not only to achieve functional literacy levels, but also to engage in lifelong learning to keep up with evolving skill demands.