Social and economic benefits of improved adult literacy: Towards a better understanding 1
Robyn Hartley
Jackie Horne 1
Australian Council for Adult Literacy 1
Contents 3
Acknowledgements 5
Key messages 6
Executive summary 7
Purpose and methodology 7
The literature 7
General findings 7
Selected areas of interest 8
Possibilities for future research 9
Introduction 10
Background 10
Purpose and aim of the research 11
Measuring costs and benefits 11
Key research questions 12
Research design 12
Scope of the literature review 12
Limitations of the project 13
Mapping benefits and costs 15
General frameworks 15
Individual outcomes and economic and social impacts 15
Selected areas of interest 18
Other areas of interest 22
Australian context and possibilities 27
Health literacy 27
Financial literacy 30
Small business 33
Researching economic and social costs and benefits 35
Conclusions and future directions 37
The research questions 37
Agenda for future research 39
References 42
Appendices 47
A The literature search 47
B The consultations 48
C List of people consulted 50
D Overview of relevant Australian longitudinal studies 52
Support document details 55
We also thank the following members of the Australian Council for Adult Literacy strategy group for their professional input, support and guidance at all stages of the project: