Refining family literacy practice : a New Zealand case study

Abstract

Following the results of the International Adult Literacy Survey in 1996, there has been an upsurge of interest in adult literacy in New Zealand, as reflected in a national adult literacy strategy and ‘foundation learning’ as one of the government’s six priorities for the post-school sector. One result of these policy changes has been a move to diversify adult literacy provision. This article reviews the development of a family literacy initiative in an area of high need and discusses a number of issues that have arisen in the program’s development based on a series of formative and process evaluations.