Development of a model of information literacy outcome measures within National Education Goals of 1990

Information literacy is an emerging term especially appropriate as American culture shifts into an information era. From September, 1991, to March, 1992, research was conducted to (1) create a comprehensive definition of information literacy and (2) develop outcome measures for this concept. The National Education Goals of 1990 provided the opportunity to demonstrate how the application of information literacy skills facilitated the goals' attainment. This has been a policy development study. The intent of this project was to prepare policy recommendations for the National Forum on Information Literacy (NFIL).; The methodology, a Delphi technique, was a reiterative, structured communications process which assisted a panel of experts to reach consensus on an issue. Through a three round process experts developed, reviewed and revised suggestions for subproblems. The third round used a five point Likert type scale to quantify consensus.; The final results produced a definition of information that included the attributes of an information literate person as well as a model of outcome measures. The definition: Information literacy is the ability to access, evaluate, and use information from a variety of sources. An information literate person is one who: recognizes the need for information; recognizes that accurate and complete information is the basis for intelligent decision-making; formulates questions based on information needs; identifies potential sources of information; develops successful search strategies; accesses sources of information including computer-based and other technologies; evaluates information; organizes information for practical application; integrates new information into an existing body of knowledge; and uses information in critical thinking and problem solving.; Forty-five of the ninety outcome measures suggested received consensus. The overarching theme of the three National Education Goals is lifelong learning. Goal 1--children start school ready to learn having acquired a value for information, largely from their first role models, their parents. Goal 3--students learn how to process information to make informed decisions through an active learning approach. Teachers and a well-stocked library/media center are critical for success. The outcome measures for Goal 5 focus on adult literacy and necessary skills for employment and citizenship.