Strengthening OntariO S

Str e n gth e n i n g O ntar i o's Adult Education System

A discussion paper to guide public consultation about ways to improve adult education in Ontario

December 2017

The Ontario Public Service endeavours to demonstrate leadership with respect to accessibility in Ontario. Our goal is to ensure that Ontario government services, products, and facilities are accessible to all our employees and to all members of the public we serve. This document, or the information that it contains, is available, on request, in alternative formats. Please forward all requests for alternative formats to ServiceOntario at 1-800-668-9938 (TTY: 1-800-268-7095).

Une publication ?quivalente est disponible en fran?ais sous le titre suivant : Renforcer le syst?me d'?ducation des adultes de l'Ontario : un document de discussion pour guider le processus de consultation publique sur les fa?ons d'am?liorer l'?ducation des adultes en Ontario, 2017.

This publication is also available on the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development website, at ontario.ca/maesd. 17-197 ? ISBN 978-1-4868-0883-0 (PDF) ? ISBN 978-1-4868-0882-3 (HTML) ? ? Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2017

Contents

About the Consultation

5

How to Participate

7

Introduction

8

A Vision for Adult Education in Ontario

10

Background

11

The Pillars of a Strong Adult Education System

13

Current Adult Education Programming: An Overview

14

What We Have Heard So Far

16

Strengths and Opportunities for Improvement

16

What We Are Doing

18

Information Navigation

18

Literacy and Essential Skills Training

19

Innovations in Adult Secondary Education Programs

20

Programming for Immigrants

21

What We Are Planning

24

Regional Collaboration and Partnerships

24

Recognition of Prior Learning

25

Pilot Projects for New Program Models

26

What We Are Exploring

28

Improved Intake, Guidance, and Pathway Planning

28

Recognition of Essential Skills and Core Competencies

29

General Discussion Questions

32

In Conclusion

33

Next Steps

33

Appendixes

Summary of Guiding Questions

34

Glossary

37

The Partner Ministries

39

We invite all adult education partners to share feedback about strengthening the adult education system in Ontario to ensure that adult learners are well supported and able to achieve their goals. Feedback may be provided in written responses submitted by January 31, 2018. Adult learners will also be invited to participate in targeted focus groups. We will report back on the findings of this consultation and next steps in winter 2018. For information on how to participate, see page 7.

About the Consultation

This discussion paper is designed to support a transparent, equitable, and inclusive conversation with adult education partners, including current and prospective learners, those who work with adult learners, and other key partners supporting the delivery of adult education. We are seeking your feedback on priority areas identified by the provincial government to fulfil the vision of a seamless and learner-centred adult education system1 that provides all Ontarians with the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills and participate fully in Ontario's highly skilled workforce and constantly evolving society. Your feedback is valuable and will help us further develop and implement plans for adult education in Ontario.

The Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development and its partner ministries, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, have identified key priorities on which to solicit your input. With your feedback and collaboration, we hope to build on the strengths of the existing system to make it more seamless and learner-centred.

We are eager to hear:

your ideas on how, together, we can better support the diversity of adult learners' needs and abilities;

your feedback on the ideas, priorities, planned actions, and next steps that we have developed so far, as set out in this document.

1. Adult education programming in Ontario provides opportunities for adults to pursue a wide variety of learning, career, and personal goals. Programs are available to support adults in upgrading their language, literacy, numeracy, and digital skills, as well as specific workplace skills; accessing apprenticeship, college, and university programs; and making use of their international qualifications and experience. For more information, see "Current Adult Education Programming: An Overview" on page 14.

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