LITERACY IN NOVA SCOTIA Implications of Findings from IALSS 2003

Transcription

1 LITERACY IN NOVA SCOTIA Implications of Findings from IALSS 03 Presented by Satya Brink, Ph.D. Director, National Learning Policy Research Learning Policy Directorate, HRSDC January 06 1

2 Key Questions Introduction What is the level of literacy proficiency in English/French in Nova Scotia? How does Nova Scotia compare to Canada, the provinces and other territories? How proficient are residents of Nova Scotia in the different component skills? How is literacy performance distributed in the working age population of Nova Scotia/Atlantic? How do age and education affect the literacy and numeracy performance? How is literacy performance distributed in the labor force, immigration, occupations, industries and earning groups? What are the demographic characteristics of people with low literacy proficiency and where are they located in Nova Scotia? 2

3 Literacy proficiency: the ability to understand and employ printed information in daily activities, at home, at work and in the community. It is not about whether or not one can read but how well one reads. 4 Domains, measure skills at five levels : - Prose: The knowledge and skills needed to understand and use information from texts including editorials, news stories, brochures and instruction manuals. - Document: The knowledge and skills required to locate and use information contained in various formats, including job applications, payroll forms, transportation schedules, maps, tables, and charts. - Numeracy: The knowledge and skills required to apply arithmetic operations, either alone or sequentially, to numbers embedded in printed materials, such as balancing an account, figuring out a tip, completing an order form or determining the amount of interest on a loan from an advertisement. - Problem Solving: Involves goal-directed thinking and action in situations for which no routine solution procedure is available. The understanding of the problem situation and its step-by-step transformation, based on planning and reasoning constitute the process of problem solving. (Only four proficiency levels) Introduction Level points Level points Level points* Level points Level points * Proficiency level for modern economy and knowledge-based society 3

4 Source: Statistics Canada Introduction Background information of importance for IALSS results: Nova Scotia Total population (03) 936,300 Population/square km 18 app. Population (05) 652,300 Population 65 and over (05) 133,600 Gender Distribution Males 458,628 Females 478,332 Population by mother tongue (Census 01) English only 832,660 French only 34,025 Non-official languages only 26,510 English and French 2,555 Eng. And non-off language 1,660 Population 15 years and over by highest level of schooling (Census 01) Less than high school 232,555 High school graduate 71,335 Trade Vocational cert. 26,475 College education 183,675 University 191,860 4

5 The number of persons (16 to 65) with low literacy rose from 8 m in 1994 to 9 m in 03 though the percentage (42%) did not change. IALS IALSS 100% 80% 22.30% 19.50% Change between 1994 and 03, Canada 4.1 million 4.2 million 60% % % 0% 36.4% 38.6% 24.80% 27.30% 16.60% 6.7 million 4.6 million 3.1 million Total: 18.4 million 14.60% 8.2 million 5.8 million 3.1 million Total: 21.4 million Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4/5 * Differences at each level between IALS and IALSS are not statistically significant 5 ; IALS, 1994.

6 Comparisons of provinces and territories based on average scores. Prose, population 16 and older, 03 Jurisdiction Yukon Territory Saskatchewan Alberta. British Columbia Nova Scotia Northwest Territories Manitoba Prince Edward Island Canada Ontario Quebec New Brunswick Newfoundland and Labrador Y.T. Sas. Alta. B.C. N.S. N.W. T Nova Scotia performance Man. P.E.I. Can. Ont. Que. N.B. N.L. Nvt Nunavut Mean proficiency significantly higher than comparison jurisdiction No statistically significant difference from comparison jurisdiction Mean proficiency significantly lower than comparison jurisdiction 6

7 Nova Scotia literacy performance Proficiency varied across domains and population age in Nova Scotia. Average proficiency scores, population 16 and older and population 16 to 65, Nova Scotia, 03 Prose Document Numeracy Problem Solving* 16 and older to 65 years of age Below level 3 * Proficiency levels are defined differently for problem solving 7

8 In Nova Scotia, the distribution of prose literacy proficiency is more favourable in the working age population compared to 16 and over, similar to most provinces and territories. Per cent of population aged 16 and older and at each prose level, Level 2 Level 1 Level 3 Level 4/5 Nova Scotia performance and over Yuk. Alb. B.C. Sask. N.S. NWT Man. Can Ont. PEI Que NFLD N.B. Nt 8

9 Nova Scotia performance Nova Scotia has average scores in document and prose literacy at level 3 and at level 2 in numeracy (population 16-65). Province or Territory Document literacy Prose literacy Numeracy Newfoundland and Labrador Prince Edward Island Below level 3 in 3 domains Nova Scotia New Brunswick Quebec Below level 3 in numeracy but not in literacy. Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan Alberta British Columbia Nunavut Territory Northwest Territory Yukon Territory

10 Nova Scotia performance Yukon had the lowest proportion overall (31%) of prose literacy below level 3. In Nova Scotia, 38% of the working-age population (16-65) had an average prose literacy proficiency below level 3. Percent of population 16 to 65 at each prose level by provinces and territories, 03 Per cent Level 2 Level 1 Level 3 Level 4/ Yukon Sask. B.C. Alberta N.S. Manitoba Canada Ontario N.W.T. P.E.I. Quebec N.L. N.B. Nunavut 10

11 Nova Scotia performance Yukon had lowest proportion of working-age adults below level 3 in numeracy (41%). In Nova Scotia the proportion of working-age adults below level 3 in numeracy was 50%. Percent of population 16 to 65 at each numeracy level by provinces and territories, 03 Per cent Level 2 Level 1 Level 3 Level 4/ Yukon Sask. B.C. Alberta Canada Manitoba Ontario N.S. N.W.T. Quebec P.E.I. N.B. N.L. Nunavut 11

12 Prose Level 1 Level 2 Total Newfoundland and Labrador Nova Scotia performance Impact of low literacy in the population % Number % Number % Number , , ,000 Prince Edward Island , , ,000 Nova Scotia , , ,000 New Brunswick , , ,000 Quebec , ,700, ,500,000 Ontario ,300, ,100, ,0,000 Manitoba , , ,000 Saskatchewan , , ,000 Alberta 9.7 9, ,000 35,0 753,000 British Columbia , , ,000,000 Yukon 9.0 2, , ,000 Northwest Territory , , ,000 Nunavut , , , Total 8,849,000

13 Nova Scotia performance Impact of low numeracy in the population Newfoundland and Labrador Numeracy level 1 Numeracy level 2 Total % Number % Number % Number , , ,000 Prince Edward Island , , ,000 Nova Scotia , , ,000 New Brunswick , , ,000 Quebec.0 1,026, ,697, ,723,000 Ontario ,759, ,3, ,162,000 Manitoba , , ,000 Saskatchewan , , ,000 Alberta , , ,000 British Columbia , , ,233,000 Yukon , , ,000 Northwest Territory , , ,000 Nunavut , , ,000 Total 10,681,000 13

14 Nova Scotia performance The proportion of Nova Scotia residents at levels 1 and 2 varied by 12 percentage points between literacy and numeracy. Per cent of adult populations performing at levels 1 and 2 in ALL 03 Poor Good Nfld and Labrador P.E.I. Nova Scotia New Brunswick Quebec Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan Alberta British Columbia Prose Document Numeracy Yukon NWT Nunavut Canada 14

15 Nova Scotia performance Nova Scotians with high school education score better in prose literacy than counterparts in 8 provinces and territories (16 and over). Literacy proficiency by educational attainment, Canada, Prince Edward Island Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Nova Scotia New Brunswick Quebec Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan Alberta British Columbia Yukon Territory Northwest Territories Nunavut Less than high school High school Trade Vocational College University 15

16 Nova Scotia performance Nova Scotians have higher scores in prose Literacy at every educational level than the Canadian averages. Mean prose proficiency scores by education level, population 16 and over, Canada and jurisdictions, 03 Less than high school High school Trade vocational College University Mean S.E. Mean S.E. Mean S.E. Mean S.E. Mean S.E. Newfoundland and Labrador 219 (3.4) 265 (4.0) 286 (3.8) 290 (5.1) 321 (3.9) Prince Edward Island 230 (6.8) 280 (5.5) 279 (5.5) 303 (5.5) 319 (7.9) Nova Scotia 241 (4.4) 281 (4.2) 288 (3.2) 305 (3.5) 319 (4.2) New Brunswick 223 (4.6) 265 (5.1) 276 (7.1) 286 (4.5) 311 (7.2) Quebec 227 (2.0) 262 (2.3) 275 (2.1) 290 (2.2) 305 (2.5) Ontario 223 (4.9) 268 (3.9) 279 (3.9) 295 (4.1) 303 (3.1) Manitoba 246 (5.5) 273 (3.4) 291 (4.4) 293 (3.4) 312 (4.4) Saskatchewan 256 (6.2) 282 (7.0) 294 (3.3) 309 (4.3) 336 (5.2) Alberta 241 (7.1) 279 (4.5) 290 (3.8) 295 (4.0) 319 (4.2) British Columbia 239 (4.8) 277 (4.8) 290 (3.4) 306 (4.3) 316 (4.4) Yukon 241 (7.5) 288 (5.6) 297 (4.5) 308 (4.7) 326 (4.7) Northwest Territories 227 (6.3) 280 (7.6) 280 (3.6) 301 (4.0) 324 (6.3) Nunavut 199 (6.1) 269 (7.8) 241 (8.5) 290 (12.3) 311 (6.2) Canada 230 (1.8) 270 (1.8) 282 (1.7) 296 (1.8) 309 (2.0) 16

17 Youth in Nova Scotia In Nova Scotia, as in most provinces and territories, the majority of youth have prose literacy proficiency at Level 3 or above. Distribution of proficiency level on the prose literacy scale for youth age 16-25, Canada, Nunavut Northwest Territories Prince Edward Island Newfoundland and Labrador Manitoba Ontario Nova Scotia New Brunswick British Columbia Saskatchewan Level 2 Level 1 Level 3 Level 4/5 Quebec Alberta Yukon Territory 17

18 Seniors in Nova Scotia The majority of seniors (133,600, 14%) in Nova Scotia have low literacy skills. Distribution of proficiency level on the prose literacy scale for those older than 65 years, provinces and territories, Northwest Territories Nunavut Quebec New Brunswick Prince Edward Island Newfoundland and Labrador Ontario Manitoba Nova Scotia Saskatchewan Level 2 Level 1 Level 3 Level 4/5 Alberta British Columbia Yukon Territory 18

19 Performance by Age, Nova Scotia In Canada, prose literacy scores decline with age; In Nova Scotia, the scores are slightly higher at every age though they decline Average Prose Literacy Scores by Age Group; Canada, Nova Scotia, Canada No va Sco tia 19

20 Number of people by proficiency level Over 2,000 residents of Nova Scotia have prose literacy scores below level 3. Population distribution of proficiency, 16-65, Canada and Nova Scotia, % 80.0% 60.0%.0%.0% 0.0% 19.50% 19.50% 38.60% 42.10% 27.30% 26.50% 14.60% 3.1m 11.90% 21.4m 643,000 Canada 4.2m 8.2m 5.8m Nova Scotia 124, , ,000 75,000 Level 4/5 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 SourceL IALSS, 03

21 Literacy proficiency and employment Those with higher literacy proficiency have a higher employment rate than those with low literacy. Employment rate among respondents at the highest and lowest levels of document proficiency, 03 Canada Atlantic Quebec Ontario Prairies British Columbia Territories Employment rate Lowest proficiency (Level 1) Highest proficiency (Level 4/5) 21 Source: IALSS 03

22 Literacy performance and employment 47% of those at level 1 and 60% of those at level 2 in the Atlantic were employed. % Employed Per cent of employed population in each document literacy level, population 16 to 65, Canada and Regions, Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4/5 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4/5 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4/5 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4/5 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4/5 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4/5 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4/5 Atlantic Atlantic Quebec Ontario Prairies British Columbia Territories Canada Docum ent Literacy Dom ain 22

23 Literacy performance and employment In Nova Scotia, unemployed workers had an average prose score above level 3. Average Prose Scores by Labour Force Status, Nova Scotia and Canada Nova Scotia Canada Not in Labour force Unemployed Employed 23 Source: IALSS 03

24 Low literacy performance Main characteristics of people at level 1 and 2 in prose IALSS in Nova Scotia (population 16-65). Level 1 75,000 4,500 were immigrants 56 % were male and 42% female 47% were employed 14% were unemployed Education: 67% less than high school 23% had completed high school 10% had post-secondary education Level 2 168,000 4,100 were immigrants 50% were male and 50% female 58% were employed 13% were unemployed Education: 38% less than high school 35% had completed high school 27% had post-secondary education 24

25 Persons with low prose literacy are concentrated among certain industries, Canada and Nova Scotia. (Population 16-65) Canada Nova Scotia Industries Level 1 Level 2 Manufacturing 445, ,000 Trade, finance, Insurance, real estate and Leasing Accommodation and Food Services 325, , , ,000 Construction 158, ,000 Low literacy and employment Industries Trade, finance, Insurance, real estate and leasing Manufacturing Health Care and Social Assistance Accommodation and Food Services Health care and social assistance 1,000 9,000 Public Administration Total: 1,257,000 2,666,000 *Number are suppressed, roughly 25 1/5 could be in these industries

26 The majority of knowledge experts score at Level 3 or above in prose literacy in the regions and the territories. Per cent Level 3 Level 4/5 100 Literacy performance- Occupation Per cent of Labour force population at prose levels 3 and 4/5 by type of occupations, population 16 to 65, Canada and regions, Atlantic Canada Atlantic Quebec Ontario Prairies British Columbia Territories Regions and Occupation Types 1 Knowledge expert 2 Managers 3 Information high-skills 4 Information low-skills 5 Services low-skills 6 Goods 26

27 Literacy performance- Occupation Workers in knowledge-related occupations tend to engage more often in writing at work than do low-skill information, services and goods production workers. Index scores of writing engagement at work on a standardized scale (centered on 2) by aggregated occupational types, labour force population, 16 to 65, 03 Writing Engagement at Work Index th Percentile.95 Confidence interval (lower) mean.95 Confidence Interval (upper) 75th Percentile Legend Occupation Types 1 Knowledge expert 2 Managers 3 Information high-skills 4 Information low-skills 5 Services low-skills 6 Goods Atlantic Canada Atlantic Quebec Ontario Prairies British Columbia Territories 27

28 Literacy performance- Industry Knowledge intensive sectors had higher proportions of adults with document literacy proficiency above level 3. About 70% of knowledge intensive industry workers in the Atlantic had proficiency levels above level 3. Per cent of labour force populations (16-65) at document literacy Levels 3 and 4/5, by type of industry, Level 3 Level4/5 1 2 Knowledge-intensive market service activities Public administration, defense, education and health 80 3 Other community, social and personal services % High and medium-hightechonology manufacturing industries Low and medium-lowtechnology manufacturing industries Utilities and Construction Wholesale, retail, hotels and restaurants Transport and storage Primary industries Canada Atlantic Quebec Ontario Prairies British Columbia Territories Region and Industry type 28 Source: IALSS 03

29 At least 35% of all industrial sectors in the Atlantic had workers with proficiency levels above level 3 in numeracy Level 3 Level4/5 Literacy performance- Industry Per cent of labour force population at numeracy levels 3 and 4/5, by type of industry, population 16 to 65, Canada and regions, 03 1 Knowledge-intensive market service activities Public administration, 2 defense, education and health Other community, social 3 and personal services High and medium-hightechonology manufacturing 4 industries % Low and medium-lowtechnology manufacturing industries Utilities and Construction 30 7 Wholesale, retail, hotels and restaurants Transport and storage Primary industries Canada Atlantic Quebec Ontario Prairies British Columbia Territories Region and Industry type 29

30 Literacy performance-labour force Those with higher average scores earn more Prose Document Numeracy Problem Solving Male Less than, ,000 to, ,000 to 60, ,000 and more Prose Document Numeracy Problem Solving Female Less than, ,000 to, ,000 to 60, ,000 and more

31 There is a positive relationship between prose literacy and civic engagement Per cent Literacy performance- Civic engagement Civic engagement index by prose literacy level, population aged 16 and older, Canada, Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4/5 Not engaged Engaged 31

32 Literacy performance- Immigrants in Canada Regardless of level of literacy proficiency most immigrants were employed but were they under employed? Immigrants Canadian born Level 1 1,8,000 1,715,000 Employed Unemployed Employed Unemployed 893, , , ,000 Level 2 1,234,000 4,595,000 Employed Unemployed Employed Unemployed 856, ,000 3,255, ,000 Level 3 1,284,000 6,967,000 Employed Unemployed Employed Unemployed 966,000 99,000 5,329, ,000 Level 4/5 469,000 3,688,000 Employed Unemployed Employed Unemployed 360,000 34,000 2,949, ,000 32

33 Literacy performance- Immigrants in Canada A high number of immigrants at levels 1 and 2 proficiency in English or French have post secondary education. Immigrants Level 1 1,8,000 Less than HS HS PSE 567,000 (68.8%) 467,000 (36.2%) 374,000 (16.4%) Level 2 1,234,000 Less than HS HS PSE 169,000 (.5%) 423,000 (32.8%) 642,000 (28.1%) Level 3 1,284,000 Less than HS HS PSE 77,000 (9.3%) 309,000 (23.9%) 898,000 ( 39.4%) Level 4/5 469,000 Less than HS HS PSE -- 92,000 (7.1%) 366,000 (16.1%) Total -- (100%) 1,290,000 (100%) 2,279,000 (100%) 33

34 In all provinces and territories there is a substantial difference between the participation rates in training of those with the lowest and highest levels of literacy. Per cent of population receiving adult education and training during the year preceding the interview, by document literacy levels, 16-65, Canada and regions, Literacy performance- Adult training participation 60 % 0 Canada Atlantic Quebec Ontario Prairies British Columbia Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4/5 Territories 34

35 Literacy performance- Adult training participation About 53% of workers participated in adult training in Nova Scotia compared to 50% in Canada. 30% took courses, similar to AB, BC and YK. Per cent of population receiving adult education and training the year preceding the interview, by type of participation, population 16 to 65, Canada and jurisdictions, 03 Total participation Took program Took course Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Prince Edward Island Nova Scotia New Brunswick Quebec Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan Alberta British Columbia Yukon Territory Northwest Territories Nunavut 35

36 Literacy performance-ict 70% of Nova Scotia residents have access to a computer at home compared to 76% of Canadians aged 16 to 65 years. Computer and Internet access at home Per cent of adults aged who report having access to a computer and the Internet at home, Canada and jurisdictions, % 41 0 Canada N.L. P.E.I. N.S. N.B. Que. Ont. Man. Sask. Alta. B.C. Y.T. N.W.T. Nvt. Computer access Internet access 36

37 Generally, 16 to 65 year-olds in poor health have lower average document literacy scores Poor Fair, Good or Excellent Literacy performance- Health Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores by mean document literacy proficiency by age groups, Canada and regions, and older Yuk. N.W.T Nun. Alb. N-B Can. Ont. Sas. Man. B.C. Nfld Lab Que P.E.I. N.S. Note : Orders the provinces and territories by the size of the difference in average document literacy between those in poor health and those in excellent health. 37

38 Policy sensitive targets appear to be similar for Nova Scotia and Canada Regression analysis. Best options for improvement by points gained/lost, Canada and Nova Scotia * Not significant >HS PSE Improving Literacy in Nova Scotia Base group: Canada Nova Scotia -Those with high school - Mother tongue English or French Mother tongue other than English or French 38 Source: IALSS 03

39 Low literacy performance Geographic distribution of people at level 1 in prose in Nova Scotia (IALSS population 16-65). 39

40 Concentration of people Nova at level Scotia 1 and - 2 in prose literacy Number of Adults in at Nova Levels Scotia 1 and 2 Prose Literacy Kilometers More than 270 No Data

41 Contact Information: Satya Brink, Ph.D. Director, Policy Research Learning Policy Directorate Human Resources and Skills Development Canada Place du Portage, Phase IV, 3 Floor 1 Promenade du Portage Gatineau, QC K1A 0J9 Tel: Fax: Satya.Brink@hrsdc-drhcc.gc.ca 41