Calendar of Literacy Events
Date Activity & Theme or Main Topic Time and Location
January 24 Strait Regional Planning Team
"Professional Development Session"		  
January 27
  • Family Literacy Day
  • "Swing into Spring"
    Launch of ACALA’s Fundraising Campaign
  • Guysborough Adult Learning Association to a launch a special "Family Literacy Project"
 Check with local libraries

Listen to your local radio station

Call GALA at 533-4252
February 6 ACALA Strategic Planning Meeting 70 West St.
February 8 ACALA Board meeting - "Strategic Planning" 70 West St.
March 1 ACALA Board meeting - "Bursary Awards" 70 West St.
March 24-25 GED Writing – "Grade 12 Equivalency" New Glasgow
April 5 ACALA Board Meeting - "Volunteer Appreciation"  
May 12-13 GED Writing -"Grade 12 Equivalency" Port Hawkesbury
May 26-27 GED Writing -"Grade 12 Equivalency" Antigonish

A FEW POINTS OF INTEREST

From The International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey (IALSS) – 2003

  • 42 % of Canadians (16 to 65) surveyed had low literacy levels in 1993; there is no significant change in the 2003 IALSS data.
  • 50% of Nova Scotians surveyed had a numeracy skill level below what they need to function in a modern knowledge-base economy.
  • Many Nova Scotians with lower literacy levels are employed. 47% of Nova Scotians with Level 1 literacy skills are employed, and 58% of people at Level 2 are employed.
  • The majority of Nova Scotian seniors surveyed had low literacy skills. The survey indicated that prose literacy skills decline with age across the country.

    • Within 25 years, one in five Canadians will be over 65. Right now, six out of 10 Canadian seniors never completed high school, and 37% have less than a Grade 9 education. Older readers have special needs, including:

      1. the need for LARGER print
      2. the need for good use of colour and design to guide the eye
      3. the need for safe, easy to follow instructions (from Clear Language & Design, Toronto East End Literacy Project-2003)