Developing a Framework for Research in Practice in Adult Literacy in Canada -- CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

A national steering committee, with support from Literacy BC and funding from the National Literacy Secretariat, is launching an exciting new project. The steering committee has posted a call to adult literacy/basic education practitioners, organizations or groups from each province or territory, to join a national team and to research what is happening in research in practice in adult literacy in their province/territory.

This is a wonderful opportunity to work with literacy educators from across the country and contribute to a national framework for supporting Canadian research in practice in adult literacy. The funding support is up to $10, 000 per provincial team – and the rewards in terms of learning and networking are great.

RiPAL-BC is a collective of literacy researchers and practitioners who have funding from the NLS to support adult literacy research in practice activities in BC. As part of its mandate RiPAL-BC would like to encourage and offer support to any groups or individuals in the province interested in applying to join this project. Research friends can support you to write your applications, and/or link you to other groups/individuals who you may want to collaborate with in applying.

The due date for applications is September 30, 2005.

If you would like support to put together an application, or would like to connect with other interested individuals or groups in BC, please contact: Suzanne Smythe at ripal@literacy.bc.ca or phone: 604-708-5798.

Research in Practice

RiPAL-BC, in partnership with Literacy BC, has received funding for a new project From the Ground Up: A Research-in-Practice Approach to Outcome-Oriented Program Evaluation.

This project will bring together practitioners, funders and policymakers to develop a new evaluation process for programs funded through the B.C. Adult Literacy Cost-Shared Program (ALCSP). It will meet the need for literacy programs to be able to demonstrate their success in terms of the changes they bring about in participants’ lives at home, at work, and/or in the broader community.

Over two-years, current evaluation tools and processes will be reviewed and new ones will be developed and tested through a number of pilot projects across B.C.

For further information contact Sandy Middleton at Literacy BC

Other proposed activities:

Literacy BC has requested NLS funding for activities within four broad project areas, including:

• Best Practices Promotion – developing new tools and resources for adults and families, and program support for practitioners and administrators
• Social Marketing – deepening awareness, understanding and support for literacy and lifelong learning among the general public and key stakeholder groups through special events and information dissemination
• Policy Influence – working with our many partnerships and alliances to influence social and economic policy related to literacy and lifelong learning
• Organizational Development – working to more effectively promote and support literacy and lifelong learning through our Board and fund development

We will also continue to provide our ongoing provincial services, including: the Learn Line (provincial toll-free information and referral); electronic infrastructure (The Hub); and field support (including professional development and training opportunities).