Return-Path: <nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id eA8KmE917121; Wed, 8 Nov 2000 15:48:14 -0500 (EST) Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 15:48:14 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <004e01c049c4$99d71040$eb026b83@nine> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Marsha Tait" <mtait@literacyvolunteers.org> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-LD:3237] RE: What is Literacy? X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook CWS, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2910.0) Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 2801 Lines: 68 I think the definition of proficiency depends on the context in which you plan to use the definition of literacy. This definition of LVA's is for the general purpose of communications about who we are and what we do. For this purpose, we also rely on the NALS definitions of literacy levels. The measurement of literacy proficiency is one of the most academically controversial issues in our field, however. We are not in agreement about what constitutes proficiency, how to measure it, or what meaningful outcomes are. As June mentioned in her email, the EFF paradigm is a good model for ":real-life" student outcomes -- its focus is on the skills that adults need to be successful in their various roles in life. For more discussion about student assessment and outcomes measurement, you might visit NIFLs Web site and do some browsing. > ****************************************************** > LVA is committed to innovation, leadership, and quality. > ****************************************************** > Marsha L. Tait > President > Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc., 635 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203 > Tel: (315) 472-0001 Fax: (315) 472-0002 > mailto:mtait@literacyvolunteers.org > http://www.literacyvolunteers.org -----Original Message----- From: nifl-ld@nifl.gov [mailto:nifl-ld@nifl.gov]On Behalf Of woods@ncia.net Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2000 12:02 AM To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: [NIFL-LD:3234] RE: What is Literacy? Marsha Tait wrote: > The ability to read, write, and speak English proficiently, to compute and > solve problems, and to use technology in order to become a life-long learner > and to be effective in the family, in the workplace and in the community. Thanks Marsha. A couple questions. How would you define "proficiently?" How is it measured? What level of problem-solving might be expected for literacy. I could think of a range from tieing a shoe to computing orbital velocities. Surely, it's somewhere inbetween. Also, what sort of technology do you refer to? Computers? Of course, a pencil is also a sort of technology. I have been trying to identify things that a person can do that demonstrates literacy. For instance a person might demonstrate literacy if she or he: 1. can read and understand a newspaper article. 2. can pass a GED test. 3. fill out a job application. 4. follow a written recipe. 5. read and order from a menu. 6. fill out an order form and compute a total price for items purchased. 7. make change. 8. write a friendly letter. 9. find a location on a map and give directions to find it. 10. use a bus or train or other similar schedule effectively. Might anyone have suggestions for the list? Or is there another approach to defining literacy that's significantly different? Thank you, Tom Woods
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Tue Jan 16 2001 - 14:42:22 EST