This document summarizes comments from 539 individuals on a literacy framework for Alberta, provided during the Alberta Literacy Forum held in Edmonton from April 14 to 16, 2008. The Forum was Alberta's contribution to the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) Pan-Canadian Interactive Literacy Forum, which involved all of Canada's provinces and territories holding fora in their jurisdictions to create a pan-Canadian dialogue on literacy. On Monday, April 14, Alberta participants spent the morning listening to speakers webcast from Vancouver and Toronto, including Ms. Adrienne Clarkson and Mr. Linwood Barclay. The afternoon focused on setting the stage and then seeking the views of Forum participants on what was important to improve literacy policy, programs and services in Alberta.
The afternoon began with learners (children and an adult) telling stories about their learning experiences. This was followed by presentations on literacy in Alberta. Mr. Keray Henke, Deputy Minister of Alberta Education, and Ms. Annette Trimbee, Deputy Minister of Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, provided an Alberta context for participant discussions on developing a literacy framework for Alberta.
Mr. Keray Henke welcomed participants by framing 21st Century Literacy as multifaceted – “literacy means acquiring, creating, connecting and communicating meaning in a variety of contexts.” He spoke of the importance of emergent technology and innovative thinking in literacy, and said, “Our job as educators is to help students find their passion. Once they have done that, they become drivers of their own success.” He discussed the need to explore teaching styles for developing literacy skills that help students understand the link between literacies and success in life. Alberta's student performance in the Programme for International Assessment (PISA) ranked first in Canada, and with this success in mind, Deputy Minister Henke emphasized the need to seek continuous improvement and prepare for the future. He spoke to the goal of having students with skills to understand the world around them, create meaning, and engage in life long learning opportunities. He challenged stakeholders to take a look at Alberta's view, vision and values, as well as what the province is working towards, and to provide insight to shape the direction of literacy in this province.