NRDC e-newsletter, Issue 38, March 2009

National Research and Development Centre for Adult Literacy and Numeracy (NRDC) newsletter

Print version Issue 38 - March 2009

Lifelong Learning UK Consultation Events

York Monday 23 March; London Monday 30 March; Manchester Thursday 2 April

Lifelong Learning UK is working with NRDC and partners on the following project.

What's my line?

This project aims to define the roles and responsibilities, with regards to literacy, language and numeracy, of associate teachers, teachers of ICT Skills for Life and those working with learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

These free events will be most appropriate for vocational and Skills for Life teachers, associate teachers, teachers and learning support staff working with learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

Further details and a booking form are available at: www.nrdc.org.uk/whatsmyline

'Parents Matter' International Conference

London 26/27 March

The theme of this conference, aimed at practitioners and policymakers working in children's services and with families, is the role of parents in life-course changes.

Researchers and academics in the field will also find it relevant. Details at: www.longviewuk.com/index.shtml

Research and Practice in Adult Literacy (RaPAL) Conference 2009: Sustainable Literacies

University of Wales, Newport, 26-27 June with free pre-conference event on 25 June.

For more information contact Rachel Stubley at rapal.conference@newport.ac.uk or visit www.literacy.lancs.ac.uk/rapal/

Achievement Rates Amongst Ethnic Minority Pupils

NRDC are working on a DCSF project alongside GfK NOP, Ethnos and the University of Warwick, to examine why attainment rates amongst Bangladeshi pupils have improved in recent years while Turkish and Somali pupils continue to perform below national averages.

Factors that increase improved outcomes for underperforming ethnic minority pupils and examples of good practice in schools with high performing pupils will be showcased. For further information contact Augustin de Coulon: a.decoulon@ioe.ac.uk

European Terminologies Study

Adult education is a vital part of the EU's lifelong learning strategy. But how can its benefits be calculated and articulated across diverse member states with different adult learning policies, programmes, participation and goals?

This is the challenge that NRDC are addressing along with colleagues in France, Germany and Poland. The European Terminologies study will support the EC in monitoring and analysing the adult learning sector by improving the quality and comparability of data and establishing a European glossary of terminologies.

It will also bring together adult learning experts from all over Europe at a meeting to be held in Lyon in June. For further details of the study, contact Jenny Litster: j.litster@ioe.ac.uk

Effects of Apprenticeships in the UK Labour Market

This NRDC study, funded by the University of Geneva, aims to evaluate how apprenticeships affect labour market performance in the UK. It will make use of a sample of 18,000 people born in 1970 and followed regularly since then. This longitudinal data will facilitate a thorough investigation of whether training through apprenticeships causes improved employment and higher wages.

For more details contact Elena Meschi: e.meschi@ioe.ac.uk or Augustin de Coulon: a.decoulon@ioe.ac.uk

The London Strategic Unit for the Learning and Skills Workforce is based within NRDC. For more information go to: www.talent.ac.uk/lsu