Transcript Slide 1

LITERACY IN NOVA SCOTIA
Implications of Findings
from IALSS 2003
Presented by
Satya Brink, Ph.D.
Director, National Learning Policy Research
Learning Policy Directorate, HRSDC
January 2006
1
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Introduction
Key Questions
• What is the level of literacy proficiency in English/French in
Nova Scotia?
• How does Nova Scotia compare to Canada, the provinces
and other territories?
• How proficient are residents of Nova Scotia in the different
component skills?
• How is literacy performance distributed in the working age
population of Nova Scotia/Atlantic?
• How do age and education affect the literacy and
numeracy performance?
• How is literacy performance distributed in the labor force,
immigration, occupations, industries and earning groups?
• What are the demographic characteristics of people with
low literacy proficiency and where are they located in Nova
Scotia?
2
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Introduction
Literacy proficiency: the ability to understand and
employ printed information in daily activities, at home,
at work and in the community. It is not about whether
or not one can read but how well one reads.
4 Domains, measure skills at five levels :
- Prose: The knowledge and skills needed to understand and use
information from texts including editorials, news stories, brochures
and instruction manuals.
- Document: The knowledge and skills required to locate and use
information contained in various formats, including job applications,
payroll forms, transportation schedules, maps, tables, and charts.
•Level
•Level
•Level
•Level
•Level
- Numeracy: The knowledge and skills required to apply arithmetic
operations, either alone or sequentially, to numbers embedded in
printed materials, such as balancing an account, figuring out a tip,
completing an order form or determining the amount of interest on
a loan from an advertisement .
* Proficiency level for
- Problem Solving: Involves goal-directed thinking and action in
situations for which no routine solution procedure is available. The
understanding of the problem situation and its step-by-step
transformation, based on planning and reasoning constitute the
process of problem solving. (Only four proficiency levels)
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
1 0 - 225 points
2 226 -275 points
3 276-325 points*
4 326 -375 points
5 376 -500 points
modern economy
and knowledge-based
society
3
Introduction
Background information of importance for IALSS results:
Nova Scotia
Total population (2003)
936,300
Population/square km
18 app.
Population 15-65 (2005)
652,300
Population 65 and over (2005)
133,600
Population by mother tongue
(Census 2001)
Gender Distribution
Males
458,628
Females
478,332
Population 15 years and over by
highest level of schooling
(Census 2001)
English only
832,660
French only
34,025
Non-official languages only
Less than high school
232,555
26,510
High school graduate
71,335
English and French
2,555
Trade Vocational cert.
26,475
Eng. And non-off language
1,660
College education
183,675
University
191,860
4
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Source: Statistics Canada
Change between 1994 and 2003, Canada
The number of persons (16 to 65) with low literacy rose
from 8 m in 1994 to 9 m in 2003 though the percentage
(42%) did not change.
IALS
IALSS
100%
22.30%
4.1 million
19.50%
4.2 million
80%
6.7 million
60%
36.4%
38.6%
8.2 million
40%
24.80%
20%
16.60%
0%
4.6 million
3.1 million
27.30%
14.60%
Total: 18.4 million
Level 1
*
Level 2
Level 3
5.8 million
3.1 million
Total: 21.4 million
Level 4/5
Differences at each level between IALS and IALSS are not statistically significant
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
5
Source: IALSS, 2003; IALS, 1994.
Nova Scotia performance
Comparisons of provinces and territories based on
average scores.
Prose, population 16 and older, 2003
Jurisdiction
Y.T.
Sas.
Alta.
B.C.
N.S.
N.W.
T
Man.
P.E.I.
Can.
Ont.
Que.
N.B.
N.L.
Nvt
Yukon Territory
Saskatchewan
Alberta.
British Columbia
Nova Scotia
Northwest Territories
Manitoba
Prince Edward Island
Canada
Ontario
Quebec
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and
Labrador
Nunavut
Mean proficiency significantly higher than comparison jurisdiction
No statistically significant difference from comparison jurisdiction
Mean proficiency significantly lower than comparison jurisdiction
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
6
Nova Scotia literacy performance
Proficiency varied across domains and population
age in Nova Scotia.
Average proficiency scores, population 16 and older and population 16 to 65, Nova Scotia, 2003
Prose
Document
Numeracy
Problem
Solving*
16 and older
276
274
262
267
16 to 65
years of age
286
284
272
276
- Below level 3
* Proficiency levels are defined differently for problem solving
7
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Source: IALSS, 2003
Nova Scotia performance
In Nova Scotia, the distribution of prose literacy proficiency is more
favourable in the working age population compared to 16 and over,
similar to most provinces and territories.
Per cent of population aged 16 and older and 16-65 at each prose level, 2003
Level 2
Level 1
Level 3
Level 4/5
80
60
27
29
21
23
23
26
24
20
21
17
20
21
19
17
40
20
39
40
40
42
37
39
39
43
38
42
35
37
37
20
17
41
35
20
17
39
35
19
17
38
34
15
13
38
33
12
37
33
14
14
12
36
32
8
8
20
20
26
26
47
46
35
0
23
22
26
25
23
10
17
21
27
26
28
27
26
26
19
17
28
27
28
27
27
26
30
29
20
11
9
14
14
14
7
17
40
12
18
13
20
15
21
16
20
32
33
31
32
24
19
33
34
14
22
16
23
17
60
16 and over
16-65
80
t
N
.
.B
N
FL
D
N
Q
ue
P
E
I
O
nt
.
an
C
M
an
.
W
T
N
.
.S
N
as
k.
S
.
.C
B
lb
.
A
Y
uk
.
100
8
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Source: IALSS, 2003
Nova Scotia performance
Nova Scotia has average scores in document and prose literacy at level 3
and at level 2 in numeracy (population 16-65).
Province or Territory
Document
literacy
Prose literacy Numeracy
Newfoundland and Labrador
Prince Edward Island
Nova Scotia
New Brunswick
Quebec
Ontario
Manitoba
Saskatchewan
Alberta
British Columbia
Nunavut Territory
Northwest Territory
Yukon Territory
269
281
284
270
273
279
283
294
290
290
234
280
293
271
282
286
273
275
279
283
294
289
288
232
280
296
257
269
272
262
269
270
271
284
281
279
220
269
283
Below level 3
in 3 domains
Below level 3
in numeracy
but not in
literacy.
9
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Source: IALSS, 2003
Nova Scotia performance
Yukon had the lowest proportion overall (31%) of prose literacy
below level 3. In Nova Scotia, 38% of the working-age population
(16-65) had an average prose literacy proficiency below level 3.
Percent of population 16 to 65 at each prose level by provinces and territories, 2003
Level 2
Per cent
Level 1
Level 3
Level 4/5
100
80
60
29
24
26
23
39
42
20
19
20
20
21
19
15
14
14
42
41
39
38
37
38
37
36
35
40
20
40
43
8
20
0
20
40
60
80
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
un
av
ut
.B
.
N
N
.L
.
N
.S
.
M
an
i to
ba
C
an
ad
a
O
nt
ar
io
N
.W
.T
.
P.
E
.I.
Q
ue
be
c
N
.
Al
be
rta
B.
C
Sa
sk
.
Yu
ko
n
100
10
Source: IALSS, 2003
Nova Scotia performance
Yukon had lowest proportion of working-age adults below level 3 in
numeracy (41%). In Nova Scotia the proportion of working-age
adults below level 3 in numeracy was 50%.
Percent of population 16 to 65 at each numeracy level by provinces and territories, 2003
Level 2
Per cent
Level 1
Level 3
Level 4/5
100
80
60
40
20
20
39
20
20
38
36
21
35
17
14
17
15
16
15
14
11
10
33
35
33
35
33
33
32
29
28
0
7
16
20
40
60
80
un
av
ut
.L
.
N
N
.B
.
N
.I.
P.
E
ue
be
c
Q
.W
.T
.
N
.S
.
N
.
Al
be
rta
C
an
ad
a
M
an
i to
ba
O
nt
ar
io
B.
C
Sa
sk
.
Yu
ko
n
100
Source: IALSS, 2003
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
11
Nova Scotia performance
Impact of low literacy in the population 16-65.
Prose
Level 1
Level 2
Total
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
Newfoundland and
Labrador
18.8
70,000
31.6
119,000
50.4
189,000
Prince Edward Island
14.0
13,000
28.8
27,000
42.8
40,000
Nova Scotia
11.9
75,000
26.5
168,000
38.4
243,000
New Brunswick
16.6
85,000
33.8
173,000
50.4
258,000
Quebec
15.6
800,000
33.0
1,700,000
48.6
2,500,000
Ontario
16.2
1,300,000
26.0
2,100,000
42.2
3,400,000
Manitoba
12.7
90,000
27.0
200,000
39.7
290,000
Saskatchewan
6.6
41,000
26.4
162,000
33.0
203,000
Alberta
9.7
209,000
25.3
544,000
35,0
753,000
British Columbia
13.8
400,000
20.9
600,000
34.7
1,000,000
Yukon
9.0
2,000
21.9
4,000
30.9
6,000
Northwest Territory
16.5
4,000
26.1
7,000
42.6
11,000
Nunavut
45.8
6,000
26.4
3,000
72.0
9,000
12
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Total 8,849,000
Nova Scotia performance
Impact of low numeracy in the population 16-65.
Numeracy level 1
Numeracy level 2
Total
%
Number
%
Number
%
Newfoundland and
Labrador
26.8
101,000
34.3
107,000
61.1
208,000
Prince Edward Island
19.2
18,000
34.8
33,000
54.0
51,000
Nova Scotia
19.7
125,000
30.9
196,000
50.6
321,000
New Brunswick
23.1
118,000
37.2
191,000
60.3
309,000
Quebec
20.0
1,026,000
33.1
1,697,000
53.1
2,723,000
Ontario
21.3
1,759,000
29.1
2,403,000
50.4
4,162,000
Manitoba
18.2
131,000
32.1
230,000
50.3
361,000
Saskatchewan
11.8
73,000
30.2
186,000
42.0
259,000
Alberta
15.1
324,000
29.3
629,000
44.4
953,000
British Columbia
16.7
471,000
27.0
762,000
43.7
1,233,000
Yukon
14.1
3,000
26.4
5,000
40.5
8,000
Northwest Territory
22.0
6,000
29.0
7,000
51.0
13,000
Nunavut
54.7
7,000
22.6
3,000
77.3
10,000
Source: IALSS, 2003
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Number
13
Total 10,681,000
Nova Scotia performance
The proportion of Nova Scotia residents at levels 1 and 2 varied by
12 percentage points between literacy and numeracy.
Per cent of adult populations performing at levels 1 and 2 in ALL 2003
50
43
38
49
42
43
40
33
35
35
42
31
Nf
ld
an
d
La
br
ad
or
P.
E
No
va .I.
Ne
Sc
w
ot
Br
ia
un
sw
ick
Q
ue
be
c
O
nt
ar
io
M
a
Sa
ni
to
sk
ba
at
ch
ew
an
Br
Al
itis
be
rta
h
Co
lu
m
bi
a
Yu
ko
n
Good
72
T
Nu
na
vu
Ca t
na
da
90
80
70
60 50
50
40
30
20
10
0
NW
Poor
Prose
Document
Numeracy
Source: IALSS, 2003
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
14
Nova Scotia performance
Nova Scotians with high school education score better in prose literacy
than counterparts in 8 provinces and territories (16 and over).
Literacy proficiency by educational attainment, Canada, 2003
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
Ne
wf
ou
nd
l
an
Ca
na
Pr d an
d
in
d
ce
La a
Ed
br
ad
w
ar
or
d
Is
la
No
va nd
Ne
Sc
w
ot
Br
i
un a
sw
ick
Q
ue
be
c
O
nt
ar
io
M
a
Sa
ni
to
sk
ba
at
ch
ew
an
Br
itis Alb
e
h
Co rta
Y
lu
m
No uko
bi
n
a
rth
T
er
we
rit
st
Te ory
r ri
to
rie
Nu s
na
vu
t
0
Less than high school
High school
Trade Vocational
College
University
15
Source: IALSS, 2003
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Nova Scotia performance
Nova Scotians have higher scores in prose Literacy at
every educational level than the Canadian averages.
Mean prose proficiency scores by education level, population 16 and over,
Canada and jurisdictions, 2003
Less than
Trade
high school High school vocational
College
Mean S.E. Mean S.E. Mean S.E. Mean S.E.
Newfoundland and Labrador 219 (3.4) 265 (4.0) 286 (3.8) 290 (5.1)
Prince Edward Island
230 (6.8) 280 (5.5) 279 (5.5) 303 (5.5)
Nova Scotia
241 (4.4) 281 (4.2) 288 (3.2) 305 (3.5)
New Brunswick
223 (4.6) 265 (5.1) 276 (7.1) 286 (4.5)
Quebec
227 (2.0) 262 (2.3) 275 (2.1) 290 (2.2)
Ontario
223 (4.9) 268 (3.9) 279 (3.9) 295 (4.1)
Manitoba
246 (5.5) 273 (3.4) 291 (4.4) 293 (3.4)
Saskatchewan
256 (6.2) 282 (7.0) 294 (3.3) 309 (4.3)
Alberta
241 (7.1) 279 (4.5) 290 (3.8) 295 (4.0)
British Columbia
239 (4.8) 277 (4.8) 290 (3.4) 306 (4.3)
Yukon
241 (7.5) 288 (5.6) 297 (4.5) 308 (4.7)
Northwest Territories
227 (6.3) 280 (7.6) 280 (3.6) 301 (4.0)
Nunavut
199 (6.1) 269 (7.8) 241 (8.5) 290 (12.3)
Canada
230 (1.8) 270 (1.8) 282 (1.7) 296 (1.8)
University
Mean S.E.
321 (3.9)
319 (7.9)
319 (4.2)
311 (7.2)
305 (2.5)
303 (3.1)
312 (4.4)
336 (5.2)
319 (4.2)
316 (4.4)
326 (4.7)
324 (6.3)
311 (6.2)
309 (2.0)
16
Source: IALSS, 2003
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Youth in Nova Scotia
In Nova Scotia, as in most provinces and territories, the majority of youth
have prose literacy proficiency at Level 3 or above.
Distribution of proficiency level on the prose literacy scale for youth age 16-25, Canada, 2003
80
60
40
20
0
20
40
60
80
N
ew
ry
ta
uk
on
T
er
r
ito
lb
er
A
be
c
Q
ue
Y
as
ka
tc
he
w
an
a
bi
um
S
h
rit
is
fo
u
nd
l
B
N
ew
B
ru
C
ol
ns
w
ic
k
co
tia
S
io
ov
a
N
O
nt
ar
ba
an
ito
M
ra
do
La
b
d
an
an
d
E
ri n
ce
P
r
d
Is
ar
d
dw
tT
es
hw
or
t
N
la
n
rie
s
er
r
N
ito
un
a
vu
t
100
Level 2
Level 1
Level 3
Level 4/5
Source: IALSS, 2003
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
17
Seniors in Nova Scotia
The majority of seniors (133,600, 14%) in Nova Scotia have
low literacy skills.
Distribution of proficiency level on the prose literacy scale for those older than 65 years, provinces and
territories, 2003
40
20
0
20
40
60
80
N
Level 2
Level 1
Level 3
Al
be
rta
ish
C
ol
um
Yu
bi
ko
a
n
Te
rr
ito
ry
Br
it
O
nt
ar
io
M
an
i to
ba
N
ov
a
Sc
Sa
ot
sk
ia
at
ch
ew
an
or
th
w
es
t
Te
rri
to
ri e
s
N
un
av
ut
Q
ue
N
ew
be
c
Br
Pr
u
in
ns
N
ce
ew
w
E
ic
fo
d
k
un
w
ar
dl
d
an
Is
d
la
an
nd
d
La
br
ad
or
100
Level 4/5
Source: IALSS, 2003
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
18
Performance by Age, Nova Scotia
In Canada, prose literacy scores decline with age; In Nova Scotia, the
scores are slightly higher at every age though they decline.
Average Prose Literacy Scores by Age Group; Canada,
Nova Scotia, 2003
300
290
280
270
260
250
240
230
220
210
200
288 286
292
299
281
287
278
284
268
258
221
16-25
26-35
Canada
36-45
46-55
56-65
225
65+
No va Sco tia
19
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Source: IALSS, 2003
Number of people by proficiency level
Over 240,000 residents of Nova Scotia have prose
literacy scores below level 3.
Population distribution of proficiency, 16-65,
Canada and Nova Scotia, 2003
100.0%
19.50% 4.2m
19.50% 124,000
80.0%
60.0%
8.2m
38.60%
267,000
Level 4/5
42.10%
Level 3
40.0%
27.30% 5.8m
20.0%
0.0%
3.1m
14.60%
21.4m
Canada
26.50% 168,000
11.90%
Level 2
Level 1
75,000
643,000
Nova Scotia
20
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
SourceL IALSS, 2003
Literacy proficiency and employment
Those with higher literacy proficiency have a higher employment
rate than those with low literacy.
Employme nt rate among re sponde nts at the highe st
and lowe st le v e ls of docume nt proficie ncy, 2003
Canada
81
57
Atlantic
76
47
Quebec
81
54
Ontario
82
62
Prairies
81
66
British Columbia
81
47
Territories
90
50
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Employment rate
Lowest proficiency (Level 1)
Highest proficiency (Level 4/5)
21
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Source: IALSS 2003
Literacy performance and employment
47% of those at level 1 and 60% of those at level 2 in the
Atlantic were employed.
Per cent of employed population in each document literacy level, population 16 to 65, Canada and
Regions, 2003
100
90
90
82
81
76
77
75
70
73
81
76
74
70
68
67
66
62
60
60
50
82
81
76
68
70
57
54
50
47
47
Atlantic
Atlantic
Quebec
Ontario
Prairies
British Columbia
Territories
Canada
Docum ent Literacy Dom ain
22
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Source: IALSS, 2003
Level 4/5
Level 3
Level 2
Level 1
Level 4/5
Level 3
Level 2
Level 1
Level 4/5
Level 3
Level 2
Level 1
Level 4/5
Level 3
Level 2
Level 1
Level 4/5
Level 3
Level 2
Level 1
Level 4/5
Level 3
Level 2
Level 1
Level 4/5
Level 3
Level 2
40
Level 1
% Employed
80
81 81
Literacy performance and employment
In Nova Scotia, unemployed workers had an average
prose score above level 3.
Average Prose Scores by Labour Force Status, Nova Scotia
and Canada
300
292
290
280
285
277
273
267 266
270
260
Not in Labour
force
Unemployed
Employed
250
Nova Scotia
Canada
23
Source: IALSS 2003
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Low literacy performance
Main characteristics of people at level 1 and 2
in prose IALSS in Nova Scotia
(population 16-65).
Level 1
Level 2
• 75,000
• 168,000
• 4,500 were immigrants
• 4,100 were immigrants
• 56 % were male and 42% female
• 50% were male and 50% female
• 47% were employed
• 58% were employed
• 14% were unemployed
• 13% were unemployed
• Education:
• Education:
•67% less than high school
•38% less than high school
•23% had completed high
school
•35% had completed high
school
•10% had post-secondary
education
•27% had post-secondary
education
24
Source: IALSS, 2003
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Low literacy and employment
Persons with low prose literacy are concentrated among certain
industries, Canada and Nova Scotia.
(Population 16-65)
Canada
Nova Scotia
Industries
Level 1
Level 2
Industries
Manufacturing
445,000
696,000
Trade, finance,
Insurance, real
estate and
Leasing
Trade, finance,
Insurance, real estate
and leasing
325,000
951,000
Manufacturing
Accommodation
and Food Services
189,000
Construction
158,000
287,000
Health care and
social assistance
140,000
409,000
Total:
1,257,000
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
323,000
2,666,000
Source: IALSS, 2003
Health Care and Social
Assistance
Accommodation and
Food Services
Public Administration
25
*Number are suppressed, roughly
1/5 could be in these industries
Literacy performance- Occupation
The majority of knowledge experts score at Level 3 or above
in prose literacy in the regions and the territories.
Per cent of Labour force population at prose levels 3 and 4/5 by type of occupations, population 16 to
65, Canada and regions, 2003
Level 3
Per cent
Level 4/5
100
80
60
40
20
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Canada
Atlantic
Atlantic
Quebec
Ontario
Prairies
British Columbia
Territories
Regions and Occupation Types
1
Knowledge expert
2
Managers
3
Information high-skills
4
Information low-skills
5
Services low-skills
6
Goods
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
26
Source: IALSS, 2003
Literacy performance- Occupation
Workers in knowledge-related occupations tend to engage more
often in writing at work than do low-skill information, services and
goods production workers.
Index scores of writing engagement at work on a standardized scale (centered on 2) by aggregated occupational types,
labour force population, 16 to 65, 2003
25th Percentile
.95 Confidence interval (lower)
m ean
.95 Confidence Interval (upper)
75th Percentile
4.0
Legend Occupation Types
1 Knowledge expert
2 Managers
3 Information high-skills
4 Information low-skills
5 Services low-skills
6 Goods
Writing Engagement at Work Index
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
1
2
3
4
Canada
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
Atlantic
Atlantic
2
3
4
Quebec
5
6
1
2
3
4
Ontario
5
6
1
2
3
4
Prairies
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
British Columbia
1
2
3
5
6
Territories
Source: IALSS, 2003
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
4
27
Literacy performance- Industry
Knowledge intensive sectors had higher proportions of adults with
document literacy proficiency above level 3. About 70% of knowledge
intensive industry workers in the Atlantic had proficiency levels above
level 3.
Per cent of labour force populations (16-65) at document literacy Levels 3 and 4/5, by type of industry, 2003
Level 3 Level4/5
Knowledge-intensive
1 market service activities
100
90
Public administration,
defense, education and
2
health
80
Other community, social
3 and personal services
70
High and medium-high4 techonology manufacturing
industries
% 60
Low and medium-low5 technology manufacturing
industries
50
Utilities and Construction
40
6
30
Wholesale, retail, hotels
7 and restaurants
8 Transport and storage
20
Primary industries
123456789123456789123456789123456789123456789123456789123456789 9
Canada
Atlantic
Atlantic
Quebec
Ontario
Prairies
British Columbia
Territories
Region and Industry type
28
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Source: IALSS 2003
Literacy performance- Industry
At least 35% of all industrial sectors in the Atlantic had
workers with proficiency levels above level 3 in numeracy.
Per cent of labour force population at numeracy levels 3 and 4/5, by type of industry, population 16 to 65,
Canada and regions, 2003
Level 3 Level4/5
Knowledge-intensive
market service activities
Public administration,
2 defense, education and
health
Other community, social
3
and personal services
High and medium-hightechonology
manufacturing
4
industries
1
80
70
60
% 50
Low and medium-low5 technology manufacturing
industries
40
6 Utilities and Construction
Wholesale, retail, hotels
7 and restaurants
30
8
20
123456789123456789123456789123456789123456789123456789123456789
Canada
Atlantic
Atlantic
Quebec
Ontario
Prairies
British Columbia
Transport and storage
9 Primary industries
Territories
Region and Industry type
Source: IALSS, 2003
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
29
Literacy performance-Labour force
Those with higher average scores earn more
Male
Female
Prose
Document
Numeracy
Problem Solving
Less than 20,000
270
274
271
267
20,000 to 40,000
266
270
267
262
40,000 to 60,000
289
294
290
284
60,000 and more
303
309
308
297
Prose
Document
Numeracy
Problem Solving
Less than 20,000
274
269
255
266
20,000 to 40,000
286
280
266
275
40,000 to 60,000
309
305
290
297
60,000 and more
323
319
307
309
Source: IALSS, 2003
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
30
Literacy performance- Civic engagement
There is a positive relationship between
prose literacy and civic engagement
Civic engagement index by prose literacy level, population aged 16 and older, Canada, 2003
Per cent
100
80
60
40
20
0
20
40
60
Level 1
Level 2
Not engaged
Level 3
Level 4/5
Engaged
31
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Source: IALSS, 2003
Literacy performance- Immigrants in Canada
Regardless of level of literacy proficiency most immigrants
were employed but were they under employed?
Immigrants
Canadian born
1,408,000
1,715,000
Level 1
Employed
Unemployed
Employed
Unemployed
893,000
135,000
889,000
227,000
Level 2
1,234,000
4,595,000
Employed
Unemployed
Employed
Unemployed
856,000
105,000
3,255,000
381,000
Level 3
1,284,000
6,967,000
Employed
Unemployed
Employed
Unemployed
966,000
99,000
5,329,000
429,000
Level 4/5
469,000
3,688,000
Employed
Unemployed
Employed
Unemployed
360,000
34,000
2,949,000
180,000
32
Source: IALSS, 2003
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Literacy performance- Immigrants in Canada
A high number of immigrants at levels 1 and 2 proficiency in English
or French have post secondary education.
Immigrants
Level 1
1,408,000
Less than HS
HS
PSE
567,000 (68.8%)
467,000 (36.2%)
374,000 (16.4%)
Level 2
1,234,000
Less than HS
HS
PSE
169,000 (20.5%)
423,000 (32.8%)
642,000 (28.1%)
Level 3
1,284,000
Less than HS
HS
PSE
77,000 (9.3%)
309,000 (23.9%)
898,000 ( 39.4%)
Level 4/5
Total
469,000
Less than HS
HS
PSE
--
92,000 (7.1%)
366,000 (16.1%)
1,290,000 (100%)
2,279,000 (100%)
--
(100%)
33
Source: IALSS, 2003
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Literacy performance- Adult training participation
In all provinces and territories there is a substantial
difference between the participation rates in training of
those with the lowest and highest levels of literacy.
Per cent of population receiving adult education and training during the year preceding the interview, by
document literacy levels, 16-65, Canada and regions, 2003
80
60
% 40
20
0
Canada
Atlantic
Atlantic
Quebec
Level 1
Ontario
Level 2
Prairies
Level 3
British
Columbia
Territories
Level 4/5
Source: IALSS, 2003
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
34
Literacy performance- Adult training participation
About 53% of workers participated in adult training in Nova Scotia
compared to 50% in Canada. 30% took courses, similar to AB, BC and YK.
Took program
Took course
Al
be
rta
Total participation
M
an
i to
Sa
ba
sk
at
ch
ew
an
Per cent of population receiving adult education and training the year preceding the interview, by type of
participation, population 16 to 65, Canada and jurisdictions, 2003
60
50
40
30
20
10
ut
Nu
na
v
Co
lum
Yu
bi
ko
a
n
No
Te
rri
rth
to
we
ry
st
Te
rri
to
ri e
s
ish
Br
it
nt
ar
io
O
ue
be
c
Q
La
br
ad
ce
or
Ed
wa
rd
Isl
an
d
No
va
Sc
Ne
ot
ia
w
Br
un
sw
ic k
Pr
in
Ne
wf
ou
nd
lan
d
an
d
Ca
na
da
0
Source: IALSS, 2003
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
35
Literacy performance-ICT
70% of Nova Scotia residents have access to a computer at
home compared to 76% of Canadians aged 16 to 65 years.
Computer and Internet access at home Per cent of adults aged 16-65 who report having access to a
computer and the Internet at home, Canada and jurisdictions, 2003
100
80
81
79
76
62
67
70
68
72
70
74
79
77
66
%
60
41
40
20
0
Canada
N.L.
P.E.I.
N.S.
N.B.
Que.
Ont.
Computer access
Man.
Sask.
Alta.
B.C.
Y.T.
N.W.T.
Nvt.
Internet access
36
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Source: IALSS, 2003
Literacy performance- Health
Generally, 16 to 65 year-olds in poor health have
lower average document literacy scores.
Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores by mean document literacy proficiency by age groups,
Canada and regions, 2003
Poor
1
16-65
2
66 and older
Fair, Good or Excellent
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
1
2
Yuk.
1
2
N.W.T
1
2
Nun.
1
2
Alb.
1
2
N-B
1
2
Can.
1
2
Ont.
1
2
Sas.
1
2
Man.
1
2
B.C.
1
2
1
2
Nfld Lab Que
1
2
P.E.I.
1
2
N.S.
Note : Orders the provinces and territories by the size of the difference in average document literacy between
those in poor health and those in excellent health.
Source: IALSS, 2003
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
37
Improving Literacy in Nova Scotia
Policy sensitive targets appear to be similar for Nova Scotia
and Canada.
Best options for improvement by points gained/lost, Canada and Nova Scotia
Regression analysis.
30
20
10
0
-10
-20
-30
-40
-50
Canada
Nova Scotia
* Not significant
Base group:
-26-45
-Those with high school
- Mother tongue English or
French
16-25
46-65
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
>HS
PSE
Mother tongue other
than English or French
38
Source: IALSS 2003
Low literacy performance
Geographic distribution of people at level 1 in prose in
Nova Scotia (IALSS population 16-65).
39
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
Nova
Scotia
- 2 in prose literacy
Concentration of people
at level
1 and
Number of Adults in
atNova
Levels
1 and 2 Prose Literacy
Scotia
0 - 30
31 - 60
61 - 90
91 - 120
121 - 150
151 - 180
181 - 210
211 - 240
241 - 270
More than 270
100
50
0
100 Kilometers
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate
No Data
40
Contact Information:
Satya Brink, Ph.D.
Director, Policy Research
Learning Policy Directorate
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
Place du Portage, Phase IV, 3 Floor
140 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, QC
K1A 0J9
Tel: 819-953-6622
Fax: 819-997-5433
[email protected]
41
HRSDC-Learning Policy Directorate