Challenges in Measuring and Collecting Data for

Evaluation

When the Community is the

Unit of Analysis

Petrice Sams-Abiodun, PhDLindy Boggs National Center for Community LiteracyNIFL Community Literacy SummitMarch 19, 2007

Lindy Boggs National Center for Community

Literacy

Mission

The mission of the Lindy Boggs National Center for Community Literacy is to promote adult literacy as a vehicle for personal, economic, and community empowerment

Pre-KatrinaLiteracy Challenge

• 40% of adults in Orleans Parish read below the 6th grade level

• 30% of adults in Orleans Parish read between 6th & 8th grade level

• Less than 10% of low-literate adults are enrolled in an adult education program.

Pre-KatrinaData Collection Strategy

• Literacy Alliance of Greater New Orleans

• Service Provider Network

• Data Sharing Project

Data Sharing & Measurement Challenges

• Diversity of providers

• Using a range of assessments and instructional methods

• Funders’ reporting requirements

Literacy Alliance Evaluation

• Measuring strength of partnerships and collaboration

• Integration of best practices into Provider Network

Adult Learners Initiating Voices for Education (ALIVE)

Collecting qualitative data on stories

and experiences of adult learners in

and out of programs

Post-Katrina Measuring &

Data Collection

• Transient Geographic Area

• Major Demographic Shifts

• Creating New Ways to Count Things

Measuring Institutional and System Change

The Boggs Center is developing and implementing a community-based

research & evaluation agenda focused on the impact of racism and

poverty on adult literacy.

Work

• Literacy as a tool for getting a good job

• Creating a Regional Workforce Intermediary

• Creating a Performance Measurement and Management System

Family

• Literacy as a tool to assist families to return, reclaim and renew their lives

• School system• Community

College System• Other recovery

organizations and systems (Road Home)

CultureCulture as a Strength in New Orleans

Neighborhood Story Project

• Writing as a tool to give voice to the voiceless

• Neighborhood stories – Five Books

• “Coming out the Door” Nine Times Social Aid and Pleasure Club

• Upcoming Project: Writing and Re-Entry

13 Lessons: A Tool for Community Discourse

The Arts

Literacy Awareness & Dialogue

Advocacy

Bridges of Hope