What are the implications of the recent data from the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) for the development of policies that will support Literacy in B.C.?
That's the focus of Literacy B.C.'s public awareness campaign about the importance of IALS for British Columbians.
Detailed Canadian data from IALS was released by Statistics Canada and the NLS in September 1996. The data indicate that over 40% of working age Canadians have some degree of difficulty with reading and writing. IALS raises important policy issues about the relationship between literacy and factors such as education, income, occupation, and the use and practice of Literacy skills at work and at home.
Here's what we're doing to raise awareness:
A summary of key findings from IALS (first published in the Literacy B. C. Newsletter) has been widely distributed and is available from us upon request.
A series of five Did you know?... information pamphlets about IALS, and its implications, are being mailed to B.C. MP's, MLA'S, and other key stakeholders throughout the province.
Regional roundtables will beheld over the next two months for local business and labour groups, Literacy providers, and representatives from health, education, social service, justice and seniors groups. Local cable outlets will be invited to tape and broadcast the discussions.
Formal presentations to key stakeholders have been made or are planned. These groups include, among others, the B.C. Teachers' Federation, the Canadian Labour Congress, the B.C. Federation of Labour, MacMillan Bloedel, and the Advanced Education Council of B.C.
A full-day symposium in Vancouver in June 1997 for business, labour, education, and government representatives will explore IALS and workforce education in depth.
Schedule of
regional roundtablesApril 7-8 Prince George
April 10 Dawson Creek
April 11 Fort St. John
April 24-25 Invermere & Cranbrook
April 28-29 Castlegar & Nakusp
May 1-2 OkanaganFor more information, contact: Literacy B.C.
Phone: 1-800-663-1293
Fax. (604) 684-8520
Email: info@literacy.bc.ca
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