May 14, 1998
(Education)

Public consultations on literacy

Tuesday, May 19 marks the beginning of a series of nine public meetings which will be held throughout the province to receive input on the most effective and efficient use of resources to improve literacy. Staff of the Literacy Strategic Planning Unit will be available at each of the following locations and dates:

At the beginning of the year, the provincial government announced its intention to develop a Strategic Plan on Literacy through consultation with stakeholders. Ms. Luanne Leamon has assumed responsibility for developing the strategic plan under a special one-year assignment to the Literacy Development Council of Newfoundland and Labrador. She will be working closely with learners, community groups, volunteers, professionals, industry, labour, the Literacy Development Council, and both levels of government. The plan will look at literacy for all ages, both within and outside the formal education system. A Literacy Strategic Planning Unit has been established and a steering committee consisting of stakeholders has been meeting on a regular basis to provide guidance.

A Consultation Paper and Workbook has been developed to use as a guide when providing input. It covers seven major areas which include: roles and responsibilities / coordination and organization; curriculum and materials; program delivery and access; professional development and support; evaluation / assessment / accountability; family / community context; and funding. Public meetings are not the only means for providing input. You may also write a summary of your concerns on or before July 15 and forward it to the Literacy Strategic Planning Unit, or you can call the Literacy Development Council's toll-free line at 1-800-563-1111 if you wish to provide comments by phone.

Literacy development is a lifelong process and an important part of many functions in today's society C employment, contribution to community life and citizenship, personal fulfillment and safety. We need different skills than we needed in the past. Our economy and related employment opportunities are changing. Our children deserve an education which will prepare them to develop their full potential. Our adult population needs to be able to take advantage of changing opportunities.

For further information, or copies of the Consultation Paper and Workbook, please call the Literacy Strategic Planning Unit in St. John's at 729-6185, or toll-free to the Literacy Development Council at 1-800-563-1111.

Contact: Cindy Christopher, Manager of Communications and Consultations, (709) 729-6191

BACKGROUNDER

Steering Committee Members:

Ms. Luanne Leamon (Chair) has been seconded to develop the Literacy Strategic Plan from her position as assistant deputy minister for Women's Policy. Women's Policy Office leads the development of the Provincial Strategy Against Violence, a five-year plan which brings together five provincial government departments and members of the community to decrease violence in the province. Ms. Leamon has considerable experience in the social policy field in her professional, academic and volunteer work. She has served on several executive level committees of the provincial government including the Strategic Social Planning Committee.

Ms. Cindy Christopher worked as the communications person for Women's Policy Office before being seconded to work on the Literacy Strategic Plan. During that time she worked closely with the Provincial Strategy Against Violence and other initiatives of Women's Policy Office. Ms. Christopher is currently chair of the Confederation Building Day Care Centre and has previously served as a board member of the St. John's and District Labour Council, NAPE and the Virginia Park Community Centre.

Ms. Linda Coles is a primary program development specialist with the Department of Education. She was involved with the development of a common curriculum for Atlantic Canada in English Language Arts where there is a new emphasis on literacy development. Ms. Coles is also a member of the Provincial Strategy for Early Literacy Committee which focuses on literacy development for ages three to eight years of age. She is responsible for a new kindergarten guide, called Early Beginnings, which emphasizes providing developmentally appropriate experiences to support literacy growth in young children.

Dr. William T. Fagan is a recognized leader in literacy at local, national, and international levels. He has a Masters and Doctorate in literacy and has been/is involved in many facets of literacy, as a university professor, a writer of literacy materials, a researcher, and a literacy provider in various settings. He is currently chairperson of the Literacy Development Council of Newfoundland and Labrador and a visiting professor at Memorial University.

Mr. Rick Engram is currently the program coordinator (Acting) of the R.E.A.D.Y. Centre, Community Services Council. This program delivers the provincial A.B.E. program to clients of the provincial Department of Human Resources and Employment. Mr. Engram has taught and coordinated A.B.E. programs for 12 years, both at the R.E.A.D.Y. Centre and at St. Anne's School, Conne River. He is currently involved with an early family literacy project - Eager to Learn. He also has six years teaching experience in the K-12 system with the Bay D'Espoir Integrated School Board, St. Anne's School, and St. Kevin's High School.

Ms. Bev Kirby is currently director of the Port au Port Community Education Initiative and partnership facilitator with the Stephenville/Port aux Basques School Board. Ms. Kirby sits on a number of Boards including the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Cooperatives, the Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs, and the Canadian Association for Community Education, and she was a former member of the province's Social Policy Advisory Committee.

Ms. Sharon Knott is the provincial manager of the Labour Market Development Agreement Secretariat (LMDA) which is co-managed between HRDC and the Provincial Government. Literacy issues have been identified in the planning process by many of the regional LMDA committees. Ms. Knott works closely with the provincial Department of Human Resources and Employment in identifying strategic priorities and issues in meeting the needs of social assistance recipients and other clients. She has also been involved in assisting a wide variety of career and youth services clients with accessing literacy related services and funding.

Ms. Agnes Pike is a literacy outreach worker at the Partners in Learning Literacy Centre in West St. Modeste, Labrador. As a former A.B.E. student who knows some of the struggles and concerns learners have with literacy issues, Ms. Pike brings personal experience and knowledge to the Steering Committee. For a number of years Ms. Pike has been involved with Community Economic Development. Most recently this has included a strong commitment to literacy development in small rural communities.

Ms. Charlotte Strong is an education consultant in the Department of Education working in the area of accountability (both K-12 and postsecondary) and educational planning. Ms. Strong's work experience includes: primary/elementary remedial reading teacher; adult literacy instructor; senior researcher for the Royal Commission on Education; and consultant for the review of special education (Special Matters Report).

1998 05 14                    4:15 p.m.