Winkler, Manitoba Canada

Research and Innovation Project

Generally, Manitoba's programs describe learners' progress and competency by utilizing the three to four Stages of Adult Learning and Literacy, though only a few programs use the Stages extensively. Certificates in Literacy and Learning were developed by Adult Literacy and Continuing Education staff in the early 1990's in response to requests from students for a measure of their progress. The requirements incorporate a range of reading, writing and oral communication tasks that are completed and gathered in a portfolio. There is presently little understanding of the MB literacy Stage definitions outside of the adult literacy field.

Our objective is to examine and align the Manitoba Stages of Adult Learning & Literacy according to the measures of literacy skills outlined in the International Adult Literacy Survey, Human Resources Development Canada's Essential Skills Research Project and Test of Workplace Essential Skills.

The International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) which was published in 1996 involved seven industrialized countries. It describes literacy in terms of textual, document and quantitative dimensions and utilizes a five-point scale to report literacy skill levels. The ability to read printed material carefully and critically while looking for key information is a highly valued workplace skill. Generally speaking, level 3 is regarded as the minimum level of competency required to cope with complex demands of everyday life and work.

The Essential Skills Research Project, being carried out by Human Resources Development Canada, identifies, classifies and describes sets of skills. These Essential Skills are the ones which individuals use to perform a wide range of everyday workplace needs in approximately 150 entry- level National Occupational Classification (NOC) jobs. The Profiles developed by occupation are described using levels of complexity based on the IALS levels of literacy. Ongoing developmental work with the profiles at the national level will provide individual workers, educators, and workplaces across the country with important descriptive information relating actual job tasks.

The Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES) is the third significant national initiative. It is an assessment tool currently being developed which will provide a test bank of essential skills based on workplace materials and tasks that will form a basis for credible objective assessment and measurement of skill levels. TOWES will report scores using the same internationally accepted scales as the Essential Skills Research Project and the International Adult Literacy Survey. These exciting developments with primary work being done in the establishment of national skill standards are integral to literacy research and innovation work.

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