In this document, an international consultant on adult education shares his views on a national poll by the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL) indicating that Canadians think that it would be acceptable if 80 per cent of adults could meet most everyday reading requirements.
The author points to a number of surveys suggesting that a large majority of Canadian adults believe they have the literacy skills needed to work and live well.
This press release from the Movement for Canadian Literacy regarding the 2003 International Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (IALLSS) which reveals serious cracks in Canada's literacy foundation with as many as 4 in 10 Canadian adults below the skill level considered necessary to thrive in today's knowledge society.
Canadian Results of the International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey
This report presents the results of the 2003 International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey (IALSS) that measured the proficiencies in literacy, numeracy and problem solving of the Canadian population. It shows the skills distributions of the population of each of the ten provinces and three territories and of specific subpopulations, such as immigrants, Aboriginal peoples and minority language groups.
A Response to the Sticht-Murray Debate about IALS and ALL
Nayda Veeman has worked in the field adult education for over 25 years. She has been an instructor, program coordinator, administrator, and a researcher and recently conducted a comparative study of adult education policy in Canada and Sweden, for which she received her PhD in 2004.
The Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (ALL) is a large-scale cooperative effort undertaken by governments, national statistics agencies, research institutions and multi-lateral agencies.
In this document, T. Scott Murray, the International Study Director of the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (ALL) responds to opinions expressed in the article "ALL Wrong Again! Can Adult Literacy Assessments Be Fixed?" posted on the NALD website.
