ABE Level I pilot sites announced

Education Minister Gerry Reid announced today the location of the sites that will be participating in the new ABE Level I Pilot which begins September 2003. The minister was pleased with the high level of interest expressed in the project, and announced that piloting will take place in nine sites throughout the province.

"The Literacy Branch of the Department of Education will be partnering with the National Literacy Secretariat, HRDC and the Literacy Development Council on this initiative," said Minister Reid. "Each site will be provided with funding of $83,000 during the two year pilot to cover the cost of an instructor and offset other related expenses. We are excited about this pilot project, as it is yet another step towards achieving our goal of raising literacy levels in Newfoundland and Labrador."

Other components of this pilot include a revised curriculum, related resources, assessment tools and opportunities for professional development.

The nine pilot sites will be located in the following communities:

During the pilot period the province will continue to provide transitional funding to basic literacy/ABE Level I centres that are deemed to be successful and have been historically funded.

"I am very pleased that we are able to offer this pilot in so many sites throughout the province," added the minister. "This pilot project demonstrates a substantial commitment from all of the partnering agencies, to improve accessibility to ABE Level I programs for adult learners. The pilot project will be monitored throughout the two year period so that information can be gathered and refinements made before finalizing the ABE Level I program delivery model."

In January of this year, the Department of Education put out a call for proposals from non-profit organizations to pilot a new Adult Basic Education (ABE) Level I model, following an independent study of basic adult literacy and ABE Level I programs in the province. A working group was established to study the report�s recommendations and to develop a quality sustainable ABE Level I program delivery model. The working group also developed an implementation plan which called for piloting the new delivery model at sites throughout the province. The sites announced today were the successful applicants to the call for proposals.

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, (709) 729-0048 or (709) 727-3438

2003 08 04                                    12:20 p.m.