E x e c u t i v e   S u m m a r y

Results and suggestions from the national study, "Nonparticipation in Literacy and Upgrading Programs" conducted by ABC CANADA

Little is known about those who have never tried to upgrade.

Most Canadians do not realize that more than 20 per cent of adults in this country experience serious difficulties with the basic daily skills of reading, writing and math.

During the past two decades, outreach to these individuals has increased dramatically – however, with minimal success. It is estimated that only 5 to 10 per cent of eligible adults have ever enrolled in literacy or upgrading programs, and many of those drop out.

Much research has been conducted on why the number of participants is so small and why they do not succeed, but little is known about the vast number who never even contact a program.

In 2001, ABC CANADA attempted to find out more about this group, what their attitudes are toward basic adult education programs and why they haven't sought help. The results are presented here from a major study of 866 Canadians who never finished high school and have never tried to upgrade.

Who doesn't make it through school?

The participant sample in this study was weighted to represent an accurate cross-section of Canadians who never made it to high school graduation. Of the 866 interviewees:

 
• Twenty-five per cent are under age 35; another 40 per cent are between 35 and 55.
• Almost a third have grade 8 education or less.
• More than half are employed full or part-time
• Twenty-eight per cent cite French as their first language; 62 per cent, English; 10 per cent, other.
 

How many have thought about upgrading?

Close to 60 per cent of those interviewed had thought about the idea of taking upgrading or completing their high school diploma. Only 20 per cent think they will actually take a program in the next five years.

Work-related reasons are most frequently cited as reasons for thinking about taking a program, especially among the young. Non work-related educational reasons for taking a program increase with age.

Expectations of enrolling in an upgrading program or finishing a high school diploma are highest for those 18-24 years of age and drop off at about age 50.

Those with the highest needs are more likely to expect to enrol in a program to upgrade or complete their high school diploma, especially those under age 30.

Regardless of need, interviewees were more likely to expect to take an upgrading program, the higher their level of schooling.

Female single parents are more than twice as likely as male parents in households with partners to think they might take an upgrading program or complete a high school diploma in the next five years.

Why haven't they followed through?

Work and family account for more than half of the reasons given by 18 to 2.9 year olds and those over 65.

Lack of interest is cited most by 18 to 2.9 year olds (14 per cent) and 50 to 64 year olds (33 per cent).

Family reasons are cited almost 33 per cent of the time by women who have considered, but not taken, an upgrading program. Another 33 per cent of these women cite both work-related and work/family reasons. In contrast, more than 60 per cent of men who have considered but not taken upgrading programs cite work-related reasons or lack of interest.

Concerns about upgrading

When asked what concerns they had about upgrading, answers were very similar among all the groups:

 
• The two most highly ranked concerns about taking a course are about money/conflict with paid employment, followed by distance of program offered.
• The next most highly ranked set of concerns are program related, including program length, level of difficulty, not being able to work at one's own pace, and relevance of program content.
• The highest cognitive/emotive factor is a general nervousness about taking a program.

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