1. Why is Literacy Important?

2. 2009 OECD Survey on Reading Mathematics and Science CountryReadingMathematicsScienceChange Finland536541554- South Korea539554538- Japan520529539+4 Canada524527529

3. Wait a minute….. If we are ranked 4 th in the world for academic achievement then why all this fuss about literacy?

4. I Stats! 22% of Canadians have serious difficulty with any type of printed material Another 26% of Canadians are only comfortable reading and writing very simple material. Of this 48% only 5-10% are seeking help (ABC Canada Literacy Foundation)

5. Literacy = 7 million working age adults do not have the literacy skills to function in the work place. (OECD Education at a Glance 2009) People with low literacy skills have the weakest positions within the economy and are often the first to be effected by economic downturns (Conference Board of Canada)

6. Show Me the Money! Low literacy costs businesses $2.5 billion in 2007 (International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey, 2003) 7 million working age adults do not have the literacy skills to function in the work place. (OECD Education at a Glance 2009) People with low literacy skills have the weakest positions within the economy and are often the first to be effected by economic downturns (Conference Board of Canada)

7. Unemployment Unemployment rate for the lowest level of literacy? 26% Unemployment rate for the highest level of literacy? 4%

8. Literacy = People with lower literacy have poorer overall health. More likely to misunderstand health and medication information. Have greater difficulty accessing proper health care. Makes it difficult for parents to access parenting information and make the best choices for their children.

9. Literacy = Offenders are 3x more likely to have literacy problems Prisoners who participate in education programs are less likely to re-offend. Average education level of new offenders is grade seven. Addressing literacy at a young age reduces risk factors such as poverty and unemployment.