1. National Adult Literacy Agency, Ireland May 8th 2006
Family literacy work in an adult literacy and education context in Ireland
National Adult Literacy Agency, Ireland
May 8th 2006

2. National Adult Literacy Coordinator
Presentation
Irish Education system
Adult literacy
Family literacy - guidelines
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

3. Irish Education System
Compulsory school attendance 6-16 year olds
Primary, Secondary, 3rd level, further education.
Free Primary and secondary education since 1967
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

4. National Adult Literacy Coordinator
First level
Some pre-school provision for 3 year olds targets disadvantage (Early Start),
Most children begin at 4 or 5 years.
Primary school – 8 years
450,000 students
State funded parish schools Multi- or non-denominational schools growing
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

5. National Adult Literacy Coordinator
Second Level
Secondary school – 5-6 years
3 years Junior Cycle- Junior Certificate
1 year transition 2-3 years Senior Cycle – Leaving Cert.
Secondary (church patronage), Vocational (VECs), Community and Comprehensive
61% of all persons aged attained education levels of higher secondary level or above in 2005
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

6. % Early school leavers in EU member states 2005
Country Males Females Total
EU %
EU %
Ireland %
Early school leavers 54,600
or 12% of all persons aged
350,00 students in second level in 2003
Early school leavers are defined as persons aged 18 to 24 whose highest level of education attained is lower secondary or below and have not received education (either formal or non formal) in the four weeks prior to the survey.
2nn quarter figures

7. Third level- Higher education
7 Universities and 14 Institutes
18,000 students in 1965
140,000 students in 2003
Free fees for undergraduate programmes
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

8. National Adult Literacy Coordinator
Further Education
Vocational Training -VTOS- unemployed
Youthreach
Traveller centres –STTC’s
Adult Literacy
Community Education
Post Leaving Certificate
Vocational specific provision (trades, farmers, catering, tourism, etc)
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

9. National Adult Literacy Coordinator
Lifelong learners
Nearly 8% of population are life long learners.
Almost 11% of Europeans (EU-25) aged between 25 and 64 were life long learners.
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

10. National Adult Literacy Coordinator
Role of NALA
NALA is a membership organisation with
voluntary status concerned with
Policy/Lobbying
Research
Quality
Training
Development
Mainstreaming
Promotion & Awareness
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

11. National Adult Literacy Coordinator
Mission Statement
To ensure all adults with literacy difficulties have access to a range of high quality learning opportunities
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

12. Definition of Adult Literacy
Literacy involves listening, speaking, reading, writing, numeracy and using everyday technology to communicate and handle information. It includes more than the technical skills of communication: it also has personal, social and economic dimensions. Literacy increases the opportunity for individuals and communities to reflect on their situation, explore new possibilities and initiate change.
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

13. Adult Literacy Provision in 2005
135 schemes managed by the Adult Literacy Organisers in 33 VECs
5,500 literacy tutors - over 4,000 volunteers
Tuition Options in VECs - 1:1, Groups, Workplace, Family, ESOL, R2Ed, R2L
Other settings integrating literacy- Prisons, Youthreach, Senior Traveller Training Centres, Community groups
Distance education – TV, Internet
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

14. National Adult Literacy Coordinator
Recent investment in Literacy
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

15. National Adult Literacy Coordinator
Why family literacy?
People looked for support in helping their children with learning
Parents’ interest in their child’s learning is the most significant feature – 8 times more important than social class, parents occupation
Adults’ literacy improves too!
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

16. Rationale for guidelines
Research & document relevant national & international practice
Establish NALA policy on family literacy, underpinned by an adult literacy approach
Support the roll-out of family literacy amongst a range of providers in Ireland
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

17. National Adult Literacy Coordinator
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

18. 3 Types of Family Literacy programmes (Paratore, 2003)
Those that provide comprehensive services to parents and children;
Those that provide services to parents…with the intent of influencing the literacy achievement of both parents and children; and
Those that focus on affecting the literacy achievement of the child alone, with the parent as the instrument of change.
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

19. Family Literacy programmes in the adult literacy context
Support and develop the language, literacy and numeracy learning that happens in families;
Work with families where the adults are interested in the opportunity to develop their own basic education, as well as help their children to learn;
Build on literacy practices within families and communities – non formal sectors
Aim to develop literacy skills and confidence across generations
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

20. Wealth/Strengths Model
5 Principles underpin the programme (page 11 of guidelines Working Together)
Not about telling parents what to do
It is about supporting and encouraging parents’ role as educators
Validates what people can do at home, and in everyday life
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

21. National Adult Literacy Coordinator
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

22. Key points in the guidelines
Partnership working – Non Formal and Formal sectors
Specific tutor training
Practical issues – childcare, premises
Recruitment
Evaluation
Programmes
Bernardos, schools,
Home/school liaison, community and Family Resource Centres, Area Development
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

23. National Adult Literacy Coordinator
3 types of programmes
Outreach/Introductory courses – 6-8 weeks with focus on new learners + discussion
Particular skills programmes – language development, ICT and reading
Intensive programmes – both parents and children in parallel and joint literacy activities
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

24. National Adult Literacy Coordinator
Key Recommendations
National strategy on family literacy
Dedicated budget
Core staff – coordinator and tutors
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

25. National Adult Literacy Coordinator
Impact since launch 1/11/05
Guidelines referenced in Department of Education Plan for Educational Inclusion for 3-18 year olds (May 2005).
Focus of Educational Disadvantage Committee
Roll-out of family literacy programmes involving schools, the VEC adult literacy service and NALA in 2006
Increased family literacy activity among a range of providers
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

26. National Adult Literacy Coordinator
John Stewart
National Adult Literacy Coordinator

27. National Adult Literacy Agency
76 Lower Gardiner Street
Dublin 1
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