Media Release

NEW LITERACY RESEARCH

March 11, 1997 K8/96

Males with very poor literacy and numeracy skills are twice as likely to be unemployed in their late teens compared to those with average or better skills, new Federal Government research indicates.

Also, males with very poor literacy skills are likely to be unemployed for twice as long as high achievers, the research shows.

The Minister for Schools, Vocational Education and Training, Dr David Kemp, today released an analysis of a five-year study of the education and career paths of 2000 Australian teenagers.

Each teenager was assessed in literacy and numeracy at age 14 and interviewed when 16, 17, 18 and 19 until 1995.

The analysis, by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) concludes that "young people who do not gain an adequate mastery of literacy and numeracy skills are disadvantaged in education, training and the labour market.

"The capacity of young people to participate effectively in schooling, higher education and the workforce is determined to a significant extent by their level of literacy and numeracy."

The results indicate:

males with very poor literacy and numeracy skills are twice as likely to be unemployed at 19 compared to those with average or better skills.
males with very poor literacy skills are likely to be unemployed for twice as long as high achievers.
females with very poor literacy skills are likely to be unemployed for more than twice as long as high achievers.
more than 50% of males with very poor literacy skills are likely to drop out of school. About 35% of females with very poor literacy skills are likely to drop out.
males with very poor literacy skills have only a 2% chance of going on to higher education.
males with very poor literacy skills are likely to earn an average $53 a week less at age 19 than males with average literacy skills. Females with very poor literacy skills are likely to earn an average $24 a week less at 19 than females with very good literacy skills.
only 10% of males with below average literacy skills will gain "white collar" employment.
females with poor literacy skills are more likely to work in unskilled or labouring jobs than in skilled, professional jobs.

Dr Kemp said the analysis confirmed the link between poor literacy and numeracy, and an increased likelihood of unemployment, particularly long-term unemployment.

"It is now clear that students who fail to gain adequate literacy and numeracy skills at school are forced to take a very difficult path in life," Dr Kemp said.

"Many drop out of school and become long-term unemployed. It is a vicious cycle that can devastate self esteem and quality of life.

"This research highlights the urgent need to ensure all children gain adequate literacy and numeracy skills, preferably in the early years of primary school.

"It also suggests that improved literacy and numeracy standards could significantly reduce youth unemployment and improve the economy, including the competitiveness of Australian businesses."

Dr Kemp released research last October that indicated about a third of 14-year-old students in Year 9 in Australia did not have basic literacy skills.

He will propose at a meeting this Friday of Federal, State and Territory Education Ministers a national plan to ensure all children entering Year 1 from next year will have adequate literacy skills by the end of Year 3.

Media inquiries: Michael Smith 016 287 494 or (06) 277 7540.

Memo: A copy of the analysis can be obtained by phoning Dr Kemp's office on (06) 277 7540.

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