There is a strong gap between literacy theory and policy, practice and research. The literature is dominated by large-scale surveys that measure and define the numbers and statistics. There is a lack of knowledge of the realities of individuals with literacy challenges, including learners and how they learn, and of the experiences of practitioners including their struggle with ways to encourage greater participation and retention in programs. More consideration should be given to whether essential skills can be incorporated as a new field within literacy.
Literacy crosses over other state of the field reviews such as Barriers and Gender with many significant gaps on ESL and first language, as well as literacy in relation to specific groups: francophone, aboriginal, women, seniors and individuals with learning disabilities.
A key recommendation from the session called for a National Agenda for Action – a pan-Canadian Literacy Strategy. A strategy would provide the foundation for defining what further knowledge is required.
“A key recommendation from the session called for a National Agenda for Action – a Pan- Canadian Literacy Strategy”.State of the Field session on Literacy
It should be noted that unlike other State of the Field Reviews, there already exists a vehicle for dissemination of information on literacy through the National Adult Literacy Database that can be accessed at www.nald.ca. One of the suggestions was to make research more accessible to practitioners through the website and to develop summary fact sheets.
Special thanks to recorders Victor Hendricken and Brenda Wright
Academic leads Dr. Thomas Turay (presenter) and Dr. Budd Hall from University of British Columbia, team leader Winnie Chow (presenter with Dr. Turay) and research assistants Cornelia Dragne and Ellie Parks, all from University of Victoria, prepared the Social Movements Learning State of the Field Report. This is the first time that a compilation of social movement learning has been done. The practitioner responder was Bev Burke, a self-employed popular educator from Roseneath, Ontario.