Alberta

In Alberta, colleges have a strong presence. Since the 1960s Alberta Vocational Colleges (AVCs) have had adult academic upgrading and literacy programming as a major part of their mandate. There are now programs in the four AVCs and most of the ten regional colleges; these receive the greatest part of government funding. There are also programs in nine provincial correctional institutions. There has also been a steady growth of volunteer programs, organized by libraries, churches, YM/YWCAs, and others, from three in 1979 to 65 in 1990. These programs are generally supported through the Further Education Councils and Community Education Consortia — community co-ordinating bodies that were originated in the 1970s for the sponsorship of non-credit adult education. Several school boards also offer programs. An ABE Implementation Committee works to develop curriculum and resource materials for the AVC/CVC system. The Literacy Co-ordinators of Alberta, formed in 1986, share resources and expertise, and assist new programs.

A succession of reports and discussion papers since 1985¹¹⁹ have noted that an absence of overall government policies and practices in programming, curriculum, and student assessment makes for lack of co-ordination and sometimes wasteful competition. An Alberta Policy Development Committee, formed in 1989, released for discussion a draft report on policy "foundations" in December 1990.¹²⁰ It does not promise departures from or significant extensions of current practice. Rather it indicates a government intention to maintain support for the existing range of programs. It lays out principles and assumptions aimed to "guide future decision-making" to ensure "direction, fiscal accountability and program effectiveness." The role of the government is defined as ensuring access to quality programs, and coordinating student support. But as regards planning, the government role is defined primarily as "encouraging" and "consulting" with program providers and others, regarding effective delivery; the reduction of barriers to participation; co-ordination in curriculum; service for cultural and linguistic minorities and people with disabilities; collaborative action to bring together available resources; the recruitment and use of volunteers; and public awareness. Alberta is the only province to have gathered and released comprehensive data on literacy programs, staff, volunteer tutors, and students.¹²¹