Statistics
According to the most recent International Adult Literacy Survey, about 40% of adult Albertans do not have the minimum levels of literacy to fully participate in today’s economy. Literacy is clearly linked to education, employment, income levels, health and involvement in the criminal justice system. There is also a tendency for low literacy levels to be repeated from one generation to the next.
For more information about these statistics and Literacy Facts, please visit the ABC Life Literacy Canada website at http://abclifeliteracy.ca/en/adult-literacy-facts
Centre for Family Literacy Programs and Services Data, 2011
The Centre for Family Literacy (CFL) offers a variety of adult and family literacy programs designed to enhance the oral language and literacy needs of less fortunate children and their parents, as well as other adults, in the Edmonton area. CFL involves a broad range of community agencies as partners in the delivery of programs in addition to offering training in family literacy programs, and providing programs and services that sensitize the community at large to issues about literacy in general and family literacy in particular. In addition, CFL provides Foundations in Family Literacy Training and offers family literacy program models training across the province.
Following is a summary of the quantitative and qualitative data collected from the Adult and Family Literacy programs offered by Centre for Family Literacy (CFL) in 2011.
Overview
| Total Number of Edmonton Participants | 4070 |
| Number of Adult Participants | 2014 |
| Number of Child Participants | 2056 |
| Number of Volunteers | 272 |
| Number of Collaborating Agencies | 139 |
| Number of Programs Offered | 208 |
| Training and Outreach Participants | 2712 |
| Alberta C.O.W. Participants (parents and children) | 6140 |
Goals and Outcomes
Goal: Adults and parents will improve their literacy skills.
| Parents reading more frequently themselves | 73.9% |
Goal: Babies, preschoolers and elementary school age children will increase their early language and early literacy skills.
| Children more interested in books | 87.4% |
| Children are pursuing literacy activities with other family members | 79.8% |
Goal: Relationships between parents and children will be strengthened.
| Parents and children interact more with each other | 76.3% |
| Children enjoy sharing literacy activities with parents | 82.1% |
Goal: Adults/Parents will more actively participate in the development, growth and learning needs of their children.
| Parents reading more frequently with their children | 88.7% |
| Parents encouraging other family members to read to their child | 79.1% |
| Parents more aware of what books to choose for their child | 88.5% |
Goal: Adults/parents and children will develop the skills to participate more actively in their communities.
| Parents more aware of other programs and services available | 77.2% |
| Parents reporting that meeting other parents is a positive part of the program | 90% |
Goal: Parents, adults and partnering agencies will understand the roles of adult and family literacy in the development of healthy families and communities.
| Parents report that they have noticed a positive change as a result of attending the program | 90.8% |
| Agencies that would offer a program again | 100% |
