Literacy skills of Canadians across the ages: Fewer low achievers, fewer high achievers

In a recent study, David Green and Craig Riddell investigate the distribution of literacy skills in the Canadian-born population and how those skills are generated. They also investigate the nature of literacy generation in the years after individuals have left formal schooling and are in the labour market, and the relationship between literacy and income. This article summarizes the results of their research. The data sources for the analysis are the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS 1994) and the International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey (IALSS 2003). The focus of the research is on literacy generation in the Canadian economy. As a result, anyone born outside of Canada is excluded from the analysis in order to focus attention on the Canadian educational system. Information on Aboriginal peoples was also excluded from this analysis, being reserved for a separate report.