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The Literacy and Social Inclusion Project has produced 'Every
which way we can', a position paper based on our findings
two years into the three-year project. The purpose of the
paper is to review the evidence gathered and to provide a
resource for those concerned with issues in this field. It
raises some of the challenges in the current policy climate,
and proposes a 'literacy vision', outlining the 'perfect literacy
system' that best supports those of all ages most at risk
from their poor or underdeveloped literacy or language skills.
Key factors for successful literacy practice with adults and
children most at risk are identified. The paper also provides
a model for building parental skills, which takes into account
the issues raised in the text.
To celebrate the launch of the position paper, an invitation-only
seminar was held on 16 February at the Institute of Education
in London, with the National Research and Development Centre
for adult literacy and numeracy (NRDC). Literacy and Social
Inclusion Director Viv Bird presented the paper's key findings,
and Professor John Bynner (Centre for Research on the Wider
Benefits of Learning), Professor Brian Street (King’s
College London) and Carol Taylor (Basic Skills Agency) provided
responses. They were followed by a panel discussion that also
included Barry Brooks of the Skills for Life Strategy Unit
and Stephen Martin of the Social Exclusion Unit, chaired by
Ursula Howard of the NRDC. The seminar was well-attended by
practitioners, policymakers and members of the research community,
who contributed to a lively debate.
Read a full report on the day,
with more details of the discussants' contributions and the
questions put to the panel.
The Literacy and Social Inclusion project produced a discussion
paper in April 2004. It covers all age groups and includes
summaries of influential research and key features of successful
practice, together with some questions that they raise for
policy.
Download the
discussion paper [Pdf]
We had a tremendous and positive response to the paper, reflecting
a range of perspectives and including contributions from major
bodies such as the Learning and Skills Council and Ufi/learndirect.
There were also been a number of useful discussions with policymakers,
local learning providers and researchers. The paper was featured
in the Guardian online and at an online conference run by
the National Evaluation of the Children's Fund, and there
have been over 800 downloads from this website. We are very
grateful to everyone who took the time to give us their feedback;
this contributed to 'Every which way we can', the position
paper described above.
A seminar organised by the Smith Institute was held at 11
Downing Street on 12 May 2004, as a way of opening up the debate
around literacy and social inclusion and raising the issues
highlighted in the above discussion paper. The debate was
of extremely high quality, reflecting the expertise of people
from across the spectrum of education, business and the housing
sector. We were delighted that so many researchers, policymakers
and practitioners, including headteachers and college principals,
were able to come from across the country to contribute to
the wide-ranging discussion.
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