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1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The national strategy for adult literacy and numeracy is set out in the Adult Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland ( ALNIS) report (2001). The report identifies twenty-one recommendations to take forward the Scottish strategy. Recommendation seventeen states that 'four pathfinder projects should be established to raise the awareness and stimulate demand for literacy and numeracy'.
In 2002, four Pathfinder projects were established to support innovative approaches in literacy and numeracy practice across Scotland. The Scottish Executive's Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Department ( ETLLD) set up these initial Pathfinder projects, with responsibility for ongoing management and administration transferred to Communities Scotland in April 2003.In 2003, the Learning Connections Team within Communities Scotland, as part of their role in developing adult literacy and numeracy provision in Scotland, established a second phase of pathfinder projects. Eight Pathfinder projects were selected and commissioned through a two-stage Challenge Fund process.
The Phase Two Pathfinder projects sought to, amongst other things, develop innovative practice, identify successful approaches, and inform the developing national adult literacy and numeracy strategy. They were initiated in late 2003 and received grant support up to 31 st March 2006.
In order to better understand and learn from the Pathfinder experience, EKOS Ltd was commissioned to carry out a final evaluation of the Phase Two Programme. The term 'Programme' relates to the entire Pathfinder experience and encompasses the Challenge Fund process, the Evaluation Framework and tools, and the projects. This report presents the findings of the Evaluation study.
1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The stated objectives of this evaluation were to:
- assess the extent to which the individual Pathfinder projects have achieved the aims and objectives outlined in their action plans;
- identify the lessons learned (positive and negative) from the work of the Pathfinder projects;
- identify effective practice which could be disseminated throughout Scotland and any factors that would need to be taken into account if this practice is to be implemented elsewhere;
- evaluate the effectiveness of the tools and the processes adopted by the Pathfinder Evaluation Framework;
- identify the challenges arising from setting up the Pathfinder projects particularly with regard to the relationship with the host agency; and
- consider whether the Pathfinder programme process is a cost-effective way of stimulating innovative work within adult literacies provision.
1.3 STUDY METHOD
The evaluation was carried out between December 2005 and August 2006 and included:
- a desk-based review of:
- relevant contextual documentation to position the programme within wider literacies policy and practice
- Challenge Fund documentation to develop a detailed understanding of the mechanics of the allocation and administration of grant funding;
- project documentation to establish the rationale, objectives, targets, and planned activities of the eight Pathfinder projects
- project monitoring information to establish the individual progress and performance of each Pathfinder
- monitoring framework documentation to understand the method and tools used to track and review Pathfinder progress;
- face-to-face consultations with the 10 representatives from Learning Connections and ODS consultants, to review the management, administration and support provided to the Pathfinder projects;
- interviews with lead representatives from each of the eight Pathfinder projects (during implementation in January 2006 and following completion in June 2006) to examine Pathfinder progress, performance, challenges, effective practice, and potential for replication; and
- a programme of interviews and focus groups to enable a variety of stakeholders from each of the Pathfinder projects to reflect on, and share, their experiences, including: representatives from the Pathfinder Advisory Groups; local partners involved in the delivery of the Pathfinder projects; learners and other beneficiaries involved in Pathfinder activities.
1.4 STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT
The remainder of this document is structured as follows:
- Section 2 provides the background and context for the Pathfinder programme and describes its main characteristics;
- Section 3 reviews the arrangements for managing the Pathfinder programme and monitoring Pathfinder project activity;
- Section 4 examines the experiences of each of the eight Pathfinder projects and discusses their legacy and opportunities for replication;
- Section 5 draws together the main findings and implications arising from the evaluation study.
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