Adult Literacies in the Scottish Government
In July 2001 the Scottish Government published the Adult Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland report (ALNIS). Informed by 7 pieces of research, this publication started a major national initiative in adult literacy and numeracy teaching and learning in Scotland. 
This led to:
- £65m of funding made available to 2008 to help adults improve their literacies
- Over 200,000 new learners helped since 2001.
- Funding provided through the 32 local authorities to Adult Literacies Partnerships
- Strategic planning by all the partnerships, indicating how the funding will be used.
In January 2003, the Learning Connections team was set up, focusing on research, development, training, quality, and the promotion of adult literacy and numeracy. In 2007, this team moved into the Lifelong Learning Directorate.
In 2009, a strategic review of Learning Connections was undertaken. See the full report and recommendations for more details.
The ALNIS report is currently being refreshed to take account of recent research and developments since the original report was launched and will set out a new strategy to 2011.
The Scottish approach
The ALNIS report defines adult literacies as:
Adult Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland Report 2001"The ability to read, write and use numeracy, to handle information, to express ideas and opinions, to make decisions and solve problems, as family members, workers, citizens and lifelong learners." |
The Scottish approach to adult literacies adopts a social practice model, which sees literacies as part of the wider lifelong learning agenda. Such an approach recognises that:
- literacy and numeracy are complex capabilities rather than a simple set of basic skills
- learners are more likely to develop and retain knowledge, skills and understanding if they see them as relevant to their own context and everyday literacy practices.
- learning should be negotiated with the learner through an individual learning plan, selecting the knowledge and skills most relevant to the individual learner's goals.
Progress on the strategy
The Directory gives details of all the current contacts in adult literacies partnerships in Scotland.
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We have also developed the following two sites.