Summary Results of the
Needs Assessment The Partners: Prospects Literacy Association, in partnership with the
University of Alberta, Success by 6®, United Way of the
Capital Region and family literacy professionals initiated
the idea for the Centre for Family Literacy Project and
spearheaded the Needs Assessment. Purpose of the Needs Assessment: The purpose of the study was to: Collection of Information: A variety of data collection techniques were used:
telephone and mail surveys, focus group interviews, feedback
sessions and interviews with key stakeholders. Groups
surveyed included adult literacy and family literacy
practitioners and coordinators, superintendents of schools,
health professionals, librarians, federal and provincial
government departments, universities, social services
agencies and families participating in family literacy
programs. A total of 262 people participated out of 467
contacted for an overall response rate of 56%. Conclusions: The information gathered clearly shows a strong need for
and support for the creation of a Centre for Family
Literacy. The Centre will support local organizations in the
development and delivery of programs in their communities by
providing information, expertise, resources and training.
The Centre will raise awareness about family literacy, as
well as promote the development of family literacy knowledge
through research, evaluation and dissemination of
information. What we learned: The need for a provincial Centre for Family Literacy was
expressed by more than 75% of respondents. 79% of
respondents supported the creation of a provincial Centre
for Family Literacy. 1. Promotion was considered the most important
component of the Centre for Family Literacy with a support
rate of 96%. The three most important activities within this
component include raising awareness about family literacy;
promotion of family literacy to a variety of agencies and
cultural groups; and making representations to key political
figures and agency representatives. 2. Access to information is the second most
important core component (92%). Its three key activities are
development and maintenance of a list of funding sources;
development and distribution of information about family
literacy; and dissemination of research findings and
evaluation results. 3. Support for programs across Alberta is seen by
90% of respondents as an important need to be met by the
Centre. (This need overlaps with the other five areas.)
Research shows that because needs vary from one community to
another, programs are best offered in communities by
communities. The activities of the Centre are, therefore,
best focused on supporting communities in responding to
their own needs. 4. Advising existing and fledgling programs on
where to obtain resources and information is another
important need identified by 87% of respondents. This
component includes advice on resources and information that
are available to meet specific needs. Practitioners need
access to a person who can provide immediate advice on a
variety of program-related issues. 5. Training was identified by 77% as another core
area of need. A variety of training models have been
suggested, including conferences, seminars and workshops,
mentoring, training sessions on different models, and
practicums. 6. The need for research initially received the
lowest rating at 58%, but the focus group meetings confirmed
that applied research is an important need for the Centre.
Respondents indicate a preference for applied research that
would evaluate and document outcomes of family literacy
programs, how programs are conducted and the materials used.
They also see a need to train practitioners to conduct
research. The importance of developing partnerships with
universities and encouraging academics and graduate students
to conduct family literacy research is also
acknowledged. June 5, 1998 Prepared by Yvon Laberge, ExCEL
For more information about the Centre for Family Literacy Project, contact the project coordinator at the address below, or contact Prospects Literacy Association.
Centre for Family Literacy
Project
9913-108 Ave, EDMONTON, Alberta,
T5H
1A5 CANADA
Phone: 780-424-1660 Fax:
780-424-1676
cflp@aaal.ab.ca
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