Student Achievement Division Student Achievement Division WHAT WORKS? Research into Practice A research-into-practice series produced by a partnership between the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat and the Ontario Association of Deans of Education How can

• Main Author: Dr Pamela Rose Toulouse
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: First Nations; inuit
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.1053.4411; http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/WW_Fostering_Literacy.pdf

This What Works? explores the key issues, factors and strategies that support literacy success for FNMI students in schools. The discussion is guided by two key questions: Embracing a Bilingual Approach Literacy success rates for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students are currently measured by their acquisition of standard English and/or French, reflecting the languages of the Ontario curriculum. Because FNMI students often communicate in non-standard forms of English and/or French with their own unique nuances, they often encounter challenges in the standard languages. 1 For these students, literacy success is cultivated by individualized programs that support their identity, experiences and relationships with the world. 2 Literacy programs for these learners must, therefore, offer differentiated instruction, make real-life connections and involve strategies and resources that are engaging, motivating and culturally affirming.