2000/2003
		Contents Vision Estimate of need in Birmingham Aim: National and Birmingham Aspirations Scale and range of provision 3 Year Objectives Monitoring and co-ordination Annual Operating Plan Action Plan Push Forward Evaluation Framework

Estimate of need in Birmingham
 

	Disaggregation of basic skills needs into target groups
	22.1 % of adults in Birmingham are believed to be below the standard expected of 11 year olds (level 4 at Key Stage 2) in literacy. Twice this number are below the level expected of 11 year olds in numeracy. An estimated 50,000 people whose first language is not English have little command of the English Language. City-wide disaggregation by age and by 3 levels of ability is shown in the table below.
	The 83,200 with higher level basic skills (above Entry Level but below Level 1 of the new adult basic skills standards) need to brush up the required skills in order to move above the functional threshold. The 28,800 with medium level basic skills (entry/level 1) may need short term focused provision, related to their particular vocational or social context. The 29,440 with very low levels of basic skills (i.e. at a level approximating to that expected at the end of Key Stage 1 in schools) need intensive, longer term support. Disaggregating the global figure in this way help to align with programmes that offer solutions: e.g. the majority of the 7,213 16-24 year olds with very low levels of basic skills are likely to be participants, or potential participants, in programmes for the young unemployed.