IN THIS ISSUE

This month's article focuses on Literacy of South Australians in 2006. Literacy data can assist with identification of 'at risk' groups, evaluation of current literacy programs, and provide information for the planning of future literacy policies and teaching strategies. The article 'Literacy of South Australians' provides an overview of the literacy levels of South Australians in 2006 using data from the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (ALLS) (cat. no. 4228.0). This survey collected information on the knowledge and skills of Australians across four literacy domains: prose literacy; document literacy; numeracy; and problem solving. The main findings include:

• South Australians have similar literacy levels to all Australians;
• only 30% of South Australians were assessed as having adequate problem solving skills;
• the proportion of employed persons with adequate document literacy skills (64%) was double that of those not employed (32%); and
• literacy levels increase as the level of educational attainment increases.

Other Explanatory Notes are not included in SA Stats in the form found in other ABS publications. Readers are directed to the Explanatory Notes contained in related ABS publications referenced in the feature article.

If you have any comments about this product please contact James Inglis on ph: (08) 8237 7405 or alternatively e-mail <sa.statistics@abs.gov.au>.