Researchers evaluated the Adult and Community Learning Fund (launched in 1998 to expand the provision of, and increase adults access to, local community-based learning opportunities). They found that the most successful method for marketing the programmes is word of mouth, and that the credibility of the marketing message is strengthened where learners join programme staff in outreach work in the community.
Source: Sue McMeeking, Monica Taylor, Robat Powell and David Sims, Evaluation of Round 5 of the Adult and Community Learning Fund, National Foundation for Educational Research (01753 747281)
Links: Report (Word file)
Date: 2002-Dec
A 'Mapping the Territory' project began, designed to provide baseline data on the ability of museums, archives and libraries in England to contribute to government targets for improving the literacy and numeracy skills of adults with basic skills needs.
Source: Press release December 2002, National Literacy Trust (020 7828 2435)
Links: Press release | Project summary
Date: 2002-Dec
A joint report by trade unions and employers examined the basic skills challenge facing the United Kingdom. It said that it is 'a national disgrace' that one in five adults do not have the literacy or numeracy skills of most children starting secondary school.
Source: Brushing Up the Basics, Trades Union Congress (020 7467 1294) and Confederation of British Industry
Links: Report (pdf) | CBI press release | TUC press release
Date: 2002-Nov
A report set out a seven-point plan to attract and motivate disadvantaged adults and young people into learning.
Source: Sue Taylor, Widening Adult Participation: Ways to extend good practice, Learning and Skills Development Agency (020 7297 9123)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release (Word file)
Date: 2002-Nov
Researchers evaluated a project aimed at widening participation in education and learning, especially among hard-to-reach adults, through the provision of residential courses.
Source: Jonathan Winterton and Ruth Winterton, Widening Participation in Learning Through Adult Residential Provision: An Evaluation, Research Report 383, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
Researchers found that trade unions have successfully demonstrated their ability to engage and support adults in continuing education projects.
Source: Neil Shaw, Christine Armistead, John Rodger and Vicky Hopwood, Evaluation of the Union Learning Fund Year 4, Research Report 378, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
An official report set out a strategy for improving adult literacy and numeracy in Northern Ireland.
Source: Essential Skills for Living: Equipped for the Future: Building for Tomorrow: Strategy and Action Plan for Adult Literacy in Northern Ireland, Department for Employment and Learning/Northern Ireland Executive (028 9025 7777)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
Researchers examined the main barriers faced by students who are parents, the different types of support needed to overcome these barriers, and the groups likely to benefit from the expansion of student support in different areas.
Source: Ivana La Valle, Ini Grewal and Alice Mowlam, Combining Education and Family Life, Research Report 377, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 3.8
Date: 2002-Oct
A study evaluated procedures used to screen, assess and refer unemployed people for training in literacy and/or numeracy.
Source: Pat Irving and Ashfa Slater, Processes Involved in Implementing the National Basic Skills Programme, WAE 129, Department for Work and Pensions (0114 259 6278)
Links: Summary (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jul
A study found poor literacy was linked to ill-health, unemployment and depression.
Source: Samantha Parsons and John Bynner, Basic Skills and Social Exclusion: Findings from a study of adults born in 1970, Basic Skills Agency (0870 600 2400)
Links: Study (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jun
A study found that poor literacy and numeracy were linked to alienation from politics.
Source: Samantha Parsons and John Bynner, Basic Skills and Political and Community Participation: Findings from a study of adults born in 1958 and 1970, Basic Skills Agency (0870 600 2400)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jun
An evaluation of the Adult and Community Learning Fund said formal assessment procedures may be inappropriate for hard-to-reach groups.
Source: C. Tyers and J. Aston, Impact of the Adult and Community Learning Fund, Institute for Employment Studies, available from National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (0116 204 4200)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121 (paragraph 3.9)
Date: 2002-Jun
Researchers found a significant correlation between poor literacy skills and propensity to commit crime.
Source: Samantha Parsons, Basic Skills and Crime: Findings from a study of adults born in 1958 and 1970, Basic Skills Agency (0870 600 2400)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122 (paragraph 6.4)
Date: 2002-May
Researchers evaluated pilots of the national strategy for improving adult literacy and numeracy.
Source: CRG, Skills for Life: The National Strategy for Improving Adult Literacy and Numeracy Skills, 'What Works' - Early Findings from the Pathfinder Projects, Research Report 342, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 120 (paragraph 3.9)
Date: 2002-May
