Investigating literacy, education, and language levels in Hamilton

Abstract

This report has been prepared by Research Associates from the McMaster Research Shop at the request of the Adult Basic Education Association of Hamilton (ABEA). The Adult Basic Education Association of Hamilton (ABEA) is an adult learning network that supports adults in lifelong learning. In a recent Literacy Community Planning meeting, Literacy and Basic Skills program managers indicated a need for up-to-date information on Hamilton’s literacy, language and education levels. Much existing information is national and dated. As such, they partnered with the McMaster Research Shop to answer the following questions:

1. What are the current levels of literacy rates, educational attainment and language levels in Hamilton? 2. How do these variables (Hamilton literacy rates, educational attainment and language levels) relate to people’s income source (e.g., unemployed, underemployed, or receiving social assistance)?

This report summarizes the results of our investigation, highlighting both what’s known and what’s not known about local literacy rates and how this intersects with other socio-economic variables.