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The following summarizes what we learned from the literacy practitioners’ and learners’ visioning conference, our two telephone surveys, and our community consultations.

Intergenerational Consequences Within Families…

• During the consultation, people told us that literacy problems often come up in pre-school even where communities have pre-school programs run by the City or School District or Child Development Centre. In their view, these programs are not necessarily reaching the parents and children who need them the most. They go on further to say that, in many homes, reading just isn’t valued.

• At-risk families are relatively easy to identify but offers of support are not necessarily accepted. If people don’t recognize the need for help, or they are intimidated about coming forward, they won’t participate.

• Several educators raised the issue of parents who are “organizationally inept” and don’t teach their children to be organized. One School District representative we spoke with described the effect that transient, low income families with substance abuse or other issues have on their kids. Their behavior contributes to learning disability syndromes as children become used to thinking around chaos instead of routine and predictability. Moreover, the number of “at risk” children is said to be growing and classes are becoming polarized as a result

Apparent in the School System…

“In our community, teachers report that the students can’t read, so they can’t learn. There is a high drop out level.” – Educator during Consultation

“This is an international phenomenon: lack of support for early intervention, pressure on schools, pressure on teachers.” – Government Representative during Consultation

• A number of the School District Superintendents we interviewed expressed frustration at the literacy issues in their school. One reported that 20-25% of students in grade 3 are falling below their expected skill level. One estimated that 20% of the intakes at the college in their community are at a grade 9 reading level

• Repeatedly during the consultation, people expressed concern about low literacy ratings, low rates of high school completion, and high drop out rates.