In September 2010, the Ministry contracted with EKOS Research Associates Inc to review adult basic education processes and promising practices within Canada and in select international locations.
The scope of the review included the following:
1. Review of provincial/territorial government websites;
2. Search for evaluation or other evidence-based research conducted by the provinces/territories on program effectiveness or promising practices;
3. Review of Canadian literature (research studies, evaluations, consultations, policy and synthesis papers) on approaches to ABE;
4. Review of evaluations of Saskatchewan ABE or other programs; and
5. Review of international literature on approaches to ABE.
The review of publicly-funded adult basic education programs in Saskatchewan found that:
"Saskatchewan is, in many ways, at the forefront of literacy training. For example, the province is developing a literacy strategy to guide its efforts, has developed literacy resources and a network to address the specific literacy needs of Aboriginal learners, has undertaken an ABE curriculum redesign and renewal phase, and is piloting interventions to integrate workplace and essential skills. In contrast to many provinces, full-time ABE learners in Saskatchewan are eligible for income support through the Provincial Training Allowance."
