Literacy level I and below versus literacy level IV and above

Abstract

Literacy as specified in the recent PIAAC survey (OECD 2013) is separated into competence levels. This allows a comparison of adults performing on literacy Level I and below versus those performing on Level IV and above. The PIAAC survey also contains variables on participation in adult education. Core findings confirm the Matthew effect for participation rates, but not for training hours. Keywords Literacy · PIAAC · International and Comparative Research on Adult Education and Training Adult education and training on literacy level one and belowAdult eduction and training provide opportunities to develop or maintain cognitive skills needed both at work and in everday life. Knowledge about the kind of training used by those performing on the PIAAC literacy scale on Level I and below is relevant for policy makers and practitioners who want to tailor their supply structures towards their needs. Following the publication of the results of largescale assessments, several countries realized that the share of the population on Level I and below was much higher than thought. Many launched programs or strategies to improve their populations' skill levels. There is growing concern that those who were left behind in initial schooling and vocational education participate Prof. Dr. A. Grotlüschen ( )