2024-Q4 Comprehensive Canadian National Literacy Program
Whereas #1 literacy involves being able to understand, evaluate, use, and engage with written texts thus enhancing communication with friends and family, securing and being successful in career choices, and having active involvement in civic affairs; and
Whereas #2 research shows that those with inadequate literacy skills are more likely to have poorer overall health, lower salaries, and lower levels of participation in their community; and
Whereas #3 48% of adult Canadians have literacy skills that fall below a high school level, and 17% function at the lowest level where they may be unable to read and understand the dosage instructions on a medicine bottle; and
Whereas #4 third grade signifies the shift from learning to read to reading to learn, when children must apply their reading skills to other subjects like math, science, and history; and
Whereas #5 students who cannot read proficiently at their grade level by the end of 3 rd grade are four times more likely than their proficient counterparts to drop out of high school and are more likely to experience long-term behavioral and mental health issues; therefore be it
Resolved #1 that the National Council of Women of Canada adopt as policy the goal that 90 percent of students will read at or above grade level by the end of third grade, ensuring students in kindergarten, first, second, and third grades master basic literacy skills, thus improving the likelihood they will reach their full potential in learning, work, and life; and be it further resolved
Resolved #2 the National Council of Women of Canada strongly urge the Government of Canada to ensure 90% of students will read at or above grade level by the end of the third grade by developing and implementing a comprehensive National Literacy Program with an emphasis on support for students, teachers, and families of those in pre-school, kindergarten,
first, second, and third, grades so they can master basic literacy skills, thus ensuring they reach their full potential in learning, work, and life; and be it further resolved
Resolved #3 that the Provincial and Local Councils of Women strongly urge their respective Governments to ensure 90% of students will read at or above grade level by the end of the third grade by implementing the National Literacy Program with an emphasis on support for students, teachers, and families of those in pre-school, kindergarten, first, second, and third, grades so
they can master basic literacy skills, thus ensuring they reach their full potential in learning, work and life.