The experience of eight prominent Canadian business organizations was examined in terms of how basic skills deficits are identified in their work force, the impact of those deficiencies on organizational competitiveness, and why corporate programs are developed in response to the issue. Some of the key findings were as follows: (1) employee…

A project examined perspectives of offenders in adult correctional facilities in British Columbia (B.C.) in relation to their literacy needs and how and where those needs were being met. Information was gathered through a series of questionnaires sent to Directors of Correctional Centers in B.C., adult basic education (ABE) administrators with…

In the winter of 1994, selected planners and coordinators of Canadian labor-based literacy programs were interviewed regarding the evolution of and concerns surrounding labor-based literacy and/or basic skills programs for union members. It was discovered that the impetus for labor-based literacy programs has generally come from the local and…

"Literacy/Alphabetisation" is the Journal of the Movement for Canadian Literacy. Each issue appears in an English version and a separate French version. This document consists of the four issues comprising Volume 15, with the French issue immediately following the corresponding English issue. Each issue begins with Notes from the Editor…

The first phase of Book Bridges, an English-as-a-Second Language literacy project for immigrant women and their children, was evaluated. Fifteen clients completed the first 10-week, 60-hour program designed to increase English vocabularies, give clients opportunities to express ideas in English, and provide a framework for facilitating…

The Manitoba Task Force on Literacy conducted public hearings to determine the root causes of illiteracy in the province and to make recommendations for programs to help adults become literate. The Task Force was especially solicitous of the opinions of learners--illiterate people who are now participating in literacy education programs. Some of…

Intended to assist in the formulation of effective policies for adult literacy in British Columbia, this paper reviews the current discussion of adult literacy policy and programming across Canada. It also reviews existing policies in Canada and in British Columbia, in education ministries, and in other ministries with interests and activities…

This 22-country survey was conducted between 1994 and 1998. Representative samples of adults aged 16-65 were interviewed and tested at home using the same literacy tests. The main purpose of the survey was to find out how well adults use information to function in society. Another aim was to investigate the factors that influence literacy…

Based on research with literacy learners, instructors, and practicing therapists, this book re-examines learning through a lens focused on the prevalence of and effects of violence in women's lives. Section 1, "Canaries in the Mine," highlights a shift away from seeing those who have experienced violence as damaged and towards…

The Movement for Canadian Literacy (MCL) is a national non-profit organization representing literacy coalitions, organizations and individuals from every province and territory. Since 1978 MCL has worked to: (1) inform the federal government and the general public about issues related to adult literacy in Canada; (2) provide a national forum for…

The Niagara Falls Secondary School Family Learning Program targets young disadvantaged parents and their preschool children for family literacy development that focuses on parent-child literacy and social interaction. Guidelines for program development include establishing partnerships based on a shared vision of family literacy, developing plans…

The Parent-Child Literacy Strategy (P-CLS) focuses on intergenerational educational approaches that integrate adult literacy instruction and early oral language development for children from birth to age six for economically and socially disadvantaged families. The objectives of the Parent-Child Literacy Strategy are: (1) To enhance the oral…

This report is designed to present data pertaining to Ontario from the Statistics Canada "Survey of Literacy Skills Used in Daily Activities" in which 9,500 adult Canadians were interviewed and tested. (In Ontario, 2,201 adults were interviewed and tested.) It is the first comprehensive report on the state of everyday reading skills of…

This paper is a transcript of a videotaped roundtable discussion on the role of volunteers in adult literacy in Canada. The participants expressed concern that tutors may not be able to provide the quality of learning experience for adult students that trained teachers could and that volunteers could be taking jobs that should go to trained…

This document contains guidelines and support materials to assist potential purchasers of computer-based adult literacy (CBAL) systems as they consider which specific system to purchase. Included in the document are the following: guidelines and evaluation criteria (written in question form) pertaining to seven areas affecting the purchasing…