Current Issues in UK Literacy

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Current Issues in UK Literacy
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Where are we now?

• A changing and challenging world.
• Different cultures.
• Long Tail of our Education System.
• Too many excluded.
• A confused qualifications system.
• Too much spin not enough objective facts.

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Myths

• Millions leave primary schools illiterate.
• Millions leave secondary schools illiterate.
• Millions of adults are illiterate.
• Qualifications Knowledge Skills.

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Scale of Need
5
Other Countries
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Minimum Levels of Basic Skills
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Self Assessment
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Literacy and Education Level
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Confused?

• 1.4 million learners that have now achieved a
  first nationally recognised qualification in
  literacy and numeracy. Nov 2006
• 1,619,000 learners that have gained a Skills for
  Life qualification for the first time. Feb
  2007
• 2,221,900 learning aims achieved between 2000
  and 2006. April 2007
• 1,759,000 adults have now improved their skills
  and gained a qualification via the Skills for
  Life strategy. July 2007

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What to do?

• Re-consider the target for Skills for Life?
• Use population surveys to assess progress.
• Focus on those with poorest basic skills.
• Review equivalence.
• Independent verification of statistics.

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Current Issues in UK Literacy