Evaluation of literacy training for immigrants

FINEEC carried out an evaluation of literacy training for immigrants in 2022. The evaluation produced information to support the planning, implementation, assessment and development of literacy training for immigrants for the educational institutions providing the training, education providers and national steering system. The evaluation applied to liberal adult education and basic education for adults.

The responsibility for providing literacy training for adult immigrants was transferred from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment to the administrative branch of the Ministry of Education and Culture at the beginning of 2018. Subsequently, educational institutions providing liberal adult education have been able to provide new kind of literacy training aimed at adult immigrants. The reformed adult basic education has also been made to include a separate stage on literacy.

Evaluation’s report and press release

Report in Finnish with an English summary: Aikuisena luku- ja kirjoitustaitoa oppimassa. Maahanmuuttajien luku- ja kirjoitustaidon arviointi.

Press release:

The ability to read and write is the basis for preventing marginalization – in FINEEC’s evaluation, adult immigrants who are learning to read and write were given a voice.

Evaluation themes and evaluation questions

1. Statistical national picture: What is the national situation of the volumes and distribution of education provision by region, type of institution and type of education?
2. Assessment: How do current assessment practices support students’ equal opportunities to develop their skills and progress along the educational path?
3. Guidance for education: How do the criteria and practices for guidance for education support the realization of competence and need-based learning on the students’ education path?
4. Fluency of the educational path: What factors influence the continuation paths of the students and the fluency of the educational paths?
5. Effectiveness of literacy education: What effects does participation in education have on the development of students’ skills and their functioning in society?

The evaluation is carried out in accordance with the principle of enhancement-led evaluation. Different stages of the evaluation involve consulting an expert panel whose composition takes into account the different levels of the development of literacy training and the diversity of the cooperative field. The panel includes representatives from the Ministry of Education and Culture, Ministry of Employment and the Economy, Finnish National Agency for Education, Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, student guidance, and the various forms of liberal adult education and their teaching staff.

Evaluation schedule

You can follow the progress of the project on FINEEC’s social media channels (Twitter & Facebook) with the subject tag #MaahanmuuttajienLukutaito.

The evaluation will also produce information for the focus areas of Developing Learning and Competence and Increasing the functionality of the educational system.