A key principle of the Adult Literacy and Numeracy Report 2001 is that action should focus on priority groups, which include "People with limited initial education especially young adults". (ALNIS 2001)
Youth Literacies is a developing area of work and is attracting increasing interest from adult literacies and youth sector practitioners. Agencies across Scotland are responding positively to the issue, and examples of new and innovative practice have been identified.
The report Youth literacies Practice in Scotland: an initial exploration looking at youth literacies practice across Scotland in 2004.
Youth literacies network
Learning Connections recognises that there is significant benefit to be gained from sharing effective practice. In order to avoid organisations duplicating effort, and to support developments in this field, a Youth Literacies Network was established. The group brings together practitioners from youth services and adult literacies who have expressed an interest in youth literacies. For the purpose of this group "young people" are defined as anyone between the ages of 16 - 25.
Further details are available from Sheila Doogan.
Notes from the most recent meetings of the network are available below.
Youth literacies film
In 2006, Learning Connections produced the film Big Plus for Young People to help young people (16-25 yrs) into literacy or numeracy learning. The film has young people in literacy or numeracy projects talking positively about the benefits of attending their course, programme or project.
Mapping youth literacies
The Scottish Centre for Research in Education undertook research into youth literacies in Scotland between 2006 and 2007 and a report will be available in 2008.
The aim of the research was to carry out a mapping exercise of youth literacies including capturing examples of effective youth literacies practice. The research also explored lessons for Scotland from the recent National Research and Development Council (NRDC) research " Success factors in informal learning: young adults' experience of literacy, language and numeracy".
To the Max
In 2005 Learning Connections funded a national collaborative project with YouthLink Scotland called "To the Max". The aim of the project was to raise the profile and understanding of the role of youth literacies practitioners in youth literacies. A report of the project is now available in Adult Literacies Online.