Research/Report
Author(s): Stephen Black, University of Technology Sydney
For more than 30 years, these large-scale skills surveys have underpinned Australian national policy on adult literacy, now incorporated within the broader concept of foundation skills. The impact of OECD large-scale skills surveys extends far beyond Australia. It would be fair to state that through these surveys (e.g. OECD, 1995, 2005, 2013) the OECD has since the 1990s dominated the field of adult literacy in its member states. Having acknowledged the powerful national and international impact of OECD skills surveys, the author outlines some counterarguments aimed at disrupting the dominant perspectives represented by the surveys. This article is the second part of a Forum titled “PIAAC’s Impact on ABE Practice and Policy.”