Project
Objectives
The main goal of the research is to explore ways to improve Somali
Canadian parents level of literacy in order to enhance the parents’ contribution
and involvement of their children's education and development. The research
will also assess the barriers phasing the Somali Canadian parents to access
the literacy programs.
Activities
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Research design and development of questionnaires
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Train volunteer interviewers and information collectors
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Mail out questionnaires and conduct interview in several Canadian cities,
such as Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, etc.
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Process data and review findings
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Write a report and recommendations based on the findings.
Results
The main outcome of the research will be a report on Somali Canadian
parents literacy. The research also produces a set of recommendations on
how to improve the literacy standard of the target group in order to improve
the quality of life including children's education and health. The findings
and recommendations of this research will be available to the public and
to all concerned organizations and agencies.
Needs
Somali Canadians parents face a lot of problems as any other new immigrants
struggling to adopt a new country. With lack of social support and information
the Somali parents have faced even more riddles mainly their weak literacy
skills. This reflected the performances of the Somali children in schools
and all aspects of family life. School drop-outs and other children delinquencies
have risen among Somali Canadian community due to the lack of parents inability
to participate their children education and development. In addition, weak
literacy skills resulted extremely high unemployment rate among Somali
adults. This research will highlight some of the ways to enhance
Somali Canadian parents’ literacy skills. The project is the first research
of its kind and will be available to all concerned. |
Target
Group
The target group of this project is Somali Canadian parents. The sample
Somali parents live in several Canadian cities will be studied (mainly
Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver etc.)
Research Results
The project will produce a research report and recommendations. The
report and recommendation will be available on a paper format and it will
be published in the Somali Canadian Education & Rural Development Organization
(SCERDO) web page. One Copy of the research results is given to each contributor
of the project and all community organizations which offer literacy and
training programs for the target group.
Project Evaluation
The research quality depends on two major items; the respondents and
the findings analysis and reporting. The evaluation process will thoroughly
examine both those items by:
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Establishing a minimum rate of respondents
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Testing the questionnaires
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Insuring the selected sample represent the target population
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Conducting ad hoc mini surveys to compare the results
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Consulting with other institutions, which do similar research/surveys
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Seeking expertise to assess the findings of the research
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Increasing awareness to Somali Canadian community as well as literacy improvement
organizations and agencies.
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Literacy needs for Somali Canadian Parents 