Education and prosperity are closely linked.

• Number of People who have Graduated from High School
• Post-Secondary Education
• Adult Prose Literacy Scores

Note: Unless otherwise indicated, references to "Kitchener" refer to the Kitchener Census Metropolitan Area (CMA).

Number of People who have Graduated from High School

Table IV-3-a: Proportion of the Population (15 years and over) that have not Completed High School by CMA and Economic Region, 1990, 2000-2006.

Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey by special request, program A050705.

At a rate of 24.3 per cent of the population 15 and over, the high school non-completion rate in Kitchener-Waterloo in 2006 was 105 per cent of the national average and 113 per cent of the provincial average. The rate was down 38.5 per cent from 39.5 in1990, the earliest year for which data are available.

Table IV-3-b: High School Non-Completion Rate in Vital Signs Communities for the Proportion of the Population aged 20-64, 2001

Source: Statistics Canada, Community Profiles, 2001 Census, free download.
http://www12.statcan.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=PR&Code1=01&Geo2=
PR&Code2=01&Data=Count&SearchText=Canada&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=

National Comparisons (PDF)

• Table IV-3-a: Proportion of the Population (15 years and over) that have not Completed High School by CMA and Economic Region, 1990, 2000-2006
• Table IV-3-b: High School Non-Completion Rate in Vital Signs Communities for the Proportion of the Population aged 20-64, 2001

Post-Secondary Education

Table IV-2-a: Proportion of the Population (15 years and over) with a Post-Secondary Education (University Degree; Post-Secondary Certificate or Diploma) for CMAs and Economic Regions

Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, available by special request program A050705.

In Kitchener-Waterloo CMA 47 per cent of the population (15 years and over) in 2006 had completed a postsecondary education (university degree, post-secondary certificate or diploma), 97 per cent of the national average and 95 per cent of the provincial average. There has been a 53 per cent increase from 31 per cent in 1990, the earliest year for which data are available.

Table IV-2-b: Proportion of the Population, aged 20-64, with a Postsecondary Education in Vital Signs Communities, 2001

Source: Statistics Canada, Community Profiles, 2001 Census, free download.

http://www12.statcan.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=PR&Code1=01&Geo2=
PR&Code2=01&Data=Count&SearchText=Canada&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=

Note: Postsecondary values represent an aggregation of the percentage of people with a trades certificate, a college certificate or diploma and a university certificate or diploma.

Appendix Table IV-2-a: Educational Attainment for Vital Signs Communities, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, Per Cent of the Population 15 years and over (Continued)

Source: Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey 2006. Special Request.

Appendix Table IV-2-b: Educational Attainment for Vital Signs Communities, 2001, population aged 20-64

Source: Statistics Canada, Community Profiles, 2001 Census, free download, retrieved from
http://www12.statcan.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=PR&Code1=01&Geo2=PR&Code2=01&Data=
Count&SearchText=Canada&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=

National Comparisons (PDF)

• Table IV-2-a: Proportion of the Population (15 years and over) with a Post-Secondary Education (University Degree; Post-Secondary Certificate or Diploma) for CMAs and Economic Regions
• Table IV-2-b: Proportion of the Population, aged 20-64, with a Postsecondary Education in Vital Signs Communities, 2001
• Appendix Table IV-2-a: Educational Attainment for Vital Signs Communities, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, Per Cent of the Population 15 years and over
• Appendix Table IV-2-b: Educational Attainment for Vital Signs Communities, 2001, population aged 20-64

Adult Prose Literacy Scores

Table IV-1: Adult Literacy Score Mean Estimates for Vital Signs Communities, 2003

Source: Canadian Council on Learning, based on International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey 2003

Prose score values are from The Atlas of Canada, Natural Resources Canada, based on the 2003 International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey, http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/peopleandsociety/literacy/literacy

Note: Scores in the 276-325 range are considered "level 3" proficiency - the proficiency level required for a modern economy and knowledge society.

Document, Numeracy and Problem Solving Scores are for the economic region and not just the Vital Signs Community. Prose are for the CAs

The average adult literacy score for prose in Kitchener was 279 in 2003.This score was 3.3 per cent above the provincial average of 270 and 2.6 per cent about the national average of 272.

Table IV-4: CLI and Pillar Scores, by Province, CMA and Economic Regions, 2007 1

Data used is the best available in 2007, the year of data varies by indicator
Learning to Know refers to the acquisiton of the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to function in the world. Encompasses six indicators; child development in terms of vocabulary, concepts/shapes and number knowledge; literacy student skills of 15 year olds in reading and math and uses the proportion of students above the G7 mean (Programme for International Student Assessment); proportion of Canadians 20-24 who have not completed high school and are not attending school (Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey); the proportion of Canadians 20-24 who are participating in post-secondary education (LFS), post-secondary attainment among working-age Canadians (LFS); and the proportion of 15 year olds performing above the G7 mean in problem solving (PISA.)

Learning to Do is related to occupational success in that it refers to the acquisition of applied skills -technical and hands-on skills and knowledge. Encompasses two indicators; proportion of Canadians 20-64 in the labour force that have participated in formal job-related training (Adult Education and Training Survey); and the percentage of firms offering formal classroom or workplace training. availability of work training (Statistics Canada's Workplace and Employee Survey.)

Learning to Live Together measures the development of inter-personal skills in terms of attaining values of respect and concern for fellow citizens and appreciation of the diversity of Canadians. This area of learning is essential for societal cohesion. Encompasses three indicators; proportion of taxfilers claiming charitable donations on their personal tax declarations (Statistics Canada's Longitudinal Administrative Database); proportion of Canadians engaged in unpaid activities as part of a group or organization (Canada's National Survey of Giving Volunteering and Participating); and the proportion of Canadians who reported expenditures on contribution and dues for social clubs, co-operatives, political and fraternal organizations and alumni associations (Statistics Canada Survey of Household Spending.)

Learning to Be is an indicator that seeks to reflect the attainment of introspective knowledge and the development of the whole person; physically, mentally and spirtually. This aspect is closely tied with personal discovery, self-knowledge, creativity and the achievement of a healthy balance in life. Encompasses four indicators; proportion of children 5 and older who are read to daily by a parent or other adult (Statistics Canada National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth); exposure to media measured by household spending on reading materials and the internet in the home (Stats Can Survey of Household Spending); proportion of households reporting expenditures on sports and recreation facilities each year (StatsCan Sof HS); and the proportion of households reporting spending on cultural activities and the performing arts (StatsCan Sof HS).

Interpreted as being on a scale of 100. The CLI Score should be used for comparative purposes to measure progress at the local and at the national level. The mean value for 2007 at the national level is 76.

Note:The CLI score is derived at using the various indicators with a regression equation, factor analysis and structural equation modelling. The regression equation matched sixteen indicators with five socio-economic outcomes to determine a correlation of 0.84. These indicators were then clustered into pillars using factor analysis. Indicators that help to explain a similar trend are grouped together and receive a pillar score. Learning to Know, Learning to Do, Learning to Live Together, Learning to Be are marked on a relative scale with an average of approximately 5 and a standard deviation of 1. Each of the mentioned indicators is then weighted with an importance of 34 per cent, 17 percent, 26 percent and 23 percent respectively to arrive at the final CLI Score.

According to the 2007 Composite Learning Index, the overall index score for the city of Kitchener was 85. This is 12 per cent higher than the national score (76) and 6 per cent higher than the Ontario provincial score (80).

National Comparisons (PDF)

• Table IV-1: Adult Literacy Score Mean Estimates for Vital Signs Communities, 2003
• Table IV-4: CLI and Pillar Scores, by Province, CMA and Economic Regions, 2007 1
• Table IV-5: Standardized Student Test Scores for Vital Signs by CMA and Economic Regions, 2003