March 2005

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Community Literacy of Ontario

Our Voice

One-to-One and Small Group Programming

The results are in! Thanks to the 72 (yes, count them, 72!) community literacy agencies who responded to CLO’s survey conducted in February 2005, we now have an up-to-the minute picture of the state of programming in our sector. And what a sector we are! Yes, change has occurred, and a dramatic shift towards incorporating small group programming has happened. However, have we abandoned our traditional 1-1 programming? The answer is a resounding “NO”. Instead, in 2005, Ontario's community literacy agencies are delivering a very healthy mix of 1-1 and small group programming based on the needs of the learners and the needs of their communities. Read on for more details:

• Overall, 92% of Ontario’s community literacy agencies offer BOTH small group and 1-1 programming.
• Adult learners are exactly divided between participating in 1-1 and small groups. In the average year, in Ontario’s community literacy agencies 50% of learners participate in 1-1 programming and 50% participate in small group programming.

And do agencies like this combined method of program delivery? YES! When asked “Does your program model of 1-1 and small group delivery meet the needs of learners in your program?” here is how 72 agencies responded:

• 55% of agencies said “Yes”
• 42% of agencies said “Mostly”
• 3% of agencies said “No”

Of the 3% (2 agencies) who responded “No” to the above question, both indicated that they were not unhappy with the delivery method, they merely wanted to increase BOTH 1-1 and small group programming!

1-1 programming is delivered as follows:

• 33% of agencies deliver 1-1 programming by matching a tutor with a specific student
• 6% of agencies have tutors provide 1-1 support within a small group
• 61% of agencies use both of the above methods

CLO also asked agencies to share the benefits and challenges of both types of programming. Please see page 4 for details.