Literacy - more than words

4. Summary Of Responses

4.1 Definition of Literacy

The following proposed view of literacy was presented in the Forum Workbook:

Literacy is not simply the ability to read and write but is the full range of competencies that allow individuals to think critically, communicate effectively and solve problems in a variety of contexts to achieve their personal goals, develop their knowledge and potential and participate fully in society. The development and retention of literacy competencies is also life long.

A comprehensive literacy framework recognizes the early experiences at home that contribute to oral language and literacy development, the foundational competencies for literacy built through the K-12 system and the need for adults to have opportunities to develop and build on their foundational literacy competencies.

There was general agreement on the definition. Some suggestions for improvement were:

The use of the term competencies is unclear and needs to be defined.

Multiple literacies should be included such as digital and social literacy and the ability to synthesize information.

4.2 A Vision for Literacy Development in Alberta

The Forum Workbook presented a potential vision statement:

All people in Alberta have opportunities to develop and expand their literacy competencies to participate fully and successfully in living, learning, and work.

Again, there appeared to be general agreement with the vision statement, with some tables providing the following suggestions for improvement.

The concept of literacy as a life long continuum needs to emphasized, in particular early childhood development beginning at birth and literacy development for Seniors. Add “life long learning”. Put more emphasis on the theme: “Never too early, never too late”.

The vision statement needs to be more proactive and speak to more than providing opportunities but ensuring that individuals increase their literacy skills regardless of income, geographic location and other circumstances.

The vision must be responsive to community and culture. In particular, it should honour the languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) populations, Francophone and new immigrants.

The vision needs to have a definable target and commitment to raise literacy to a certain level by a certain date.