Adult literacy research overviews, 2005

This suite of overviews provides a comprehensive summary of each of NCVER's managed adult literacy and numeracy research projects funded in late 2006. The suite of reports examine a wide range of literacy and numeracy issues - from its definition in policy-making terms, teaching and learning approaches and outcomes, to the professional development needs of literacy practitioners. The research also covers literacy practices and various approaches across Indigenous and ethnic communities, industry, volunteer and community settings.

This suite of overviews provides a comprehensive summary of NCVER's managed adult literacy and numeracy research projects funded in 2005. The reports examine a wide range of literacy and numeracy issues: from its definition in policy-making terms, teaching and learning approaches and outcomes, to the professional development needs of literacy practitioners. The research also covers literacy practices and various approaches across Indigenous and ethnic communities, industry, volunteer and community settings.

This suite of overviews provides a comprehensive summary of each of NCVER's managed adult literacy and numeracy research projects funded in 2004. The suite of reports examine a wide range of literacy and numeracy issues - from its definition in policy-making terms, teaching and learning approaches and outcomes, to the professional development needs of literacy practitioners. The research also covers literacy practices and various approaches across Indigenous and ethnic communities, industry, volunteer and community settings.

This suite of overviews provides a comprehensive summary of each of NCVER's managed adult literacy and numeracy research projects funded in 2002. The suite of reports examine a wide range of literacy and numeracy issues - from its definition in policy-making terms, teaching and learning approaches and outcomes, to the professional development needs of literacy practitioners. The research also covers literacy practices and various approaches across Indigenous and ethnic communities, industry, volunteer and community settings.

Difficulty with literacy and numeracy is a significant barrier to Indigenous students accessing vocational education and training. This study explored the literacy and numeracy support systems available to Indigenous VET students and determined which systems work for both students and teachers and produce positive outcomes for Indigenous students, including successful completion. This has resulted in a set of best practice guidelines for designing and developing literacy and numeracy support systems for Indigenous students.

The question of how the skills and knowledge of the adult language, literacy and numeracy workforce can be improved is particularly relevant in view of the ongoing debate on how language, literacy and numeracy skills should be taught. This study reflects on the professional development needs of the three sectors--vocational trainers, specialist teachers and volunteer tutors-- of the Australian English language, literacy and numeracy workforce. Important issues affecting the workforce include entry pathways, attitudes, responsibilities and barriers to gaining professional development. Preferred modes of professional development delivery along with skill gaps among the workforce are identified to provide guidance for future workforce development planning.

This report examines the extent and nature of professional development required to meet the current and future needs of Workplace English Language and Literacy Programme practitioners. While the working environment for such practitioners is becoming more complex, with greater demands on them to have industry knowledge and project management skills, the report finds that engagement in professional development activities is declining. Barriers preventing the recruitment of new practitioners are explored and possible strategies to support renewal of the profession are proposed, including the need for a national minimum standard to be adopted, such as the Advanced Diploma of Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice in VET.

This report looks at hourly earnings among Australian young people using three of the Youth in Transition cohorts from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) project. Influences on hourly earnings are analysed by looking at the correlations between earnings and measures of social background and school factors, qualifications and labour market history. It also looks at modeling hourly earnings using a four step procedure, adding social and demographic background factors, school sector and school achievement, qualification and Year 12 completion, and employment history. It also focuses on ageing effects by examining the impact on hourly earnings of gender, qualifications, schooling and employment at particular ages. Research report no. 8 This report, published by the Australian Council for Education Research (ACER), is part of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) research program.

This set of 'exhibits' provides information relating to the presentation given at the National Centre for Vocational Edcation Breakfast Briefing, 'Reading between the lines: Summing up adult literacy and numeracy research', in May 2006. The briefings focused on the amount of adult literacy and numeracy provision in Australia, efforts being made to address adult literacy and numeracy provision in Australia, the improvement of literacy skills and what this means to individuals, workplaces and communities, and the elements of successful provision and professional development for practitioners.