This study examines the correlation between 9–10-year-old learners’ reading interest and four types of socio-cultural environments that stimulate their interest (enthusiasm) in reading as a fundamental pillar of reading literacy development. The study aimed to map and analyse the socio-cultural context of four levels of intensity of reading interest of 1195 Slovak, Czech and Polish learners. A 46-item questionnaire was used to achieve the aim of the study. Statistical testing using Spearman’s coefficient was used for analysis. The significant results of the research showed that the correlation between monitored younger learners’ reading interest and family environment is very weak, and reading as a leisure activity in the virtual environment is not attractive.

Given the reliance of the contemporary IT professional training process on a predetermined scenario for success outlined in educational programs and confined within local needs our research aimed to identify and examine effective ways of integrating spiritual and professional development for future specialists in the field of digital (IT) technologies. Our assumption was that the development of core values as a spiritual component of IT specialists influences the effectiveness of acquiring 21st century skills and shapes their professional competence. A correlational study was conducted to explore the relationship between the level of formation of core values in future IT specialists and the level of 21st century skills in these individuals. The research strategy was based on the application of distinct methods (Schwartz, S. H. (1992), Hixson, 2012, mathematical statistical methods – Kendall’s correlation analysis) to test the effectiveness of the author’s model. Its conceptual idea is to confirm the hypothesis that higher levels of 21st century skills correlate with higher levels of core values in future IT specialists. The results of the tasks revealed correlations between higher levels of 21st century skills and the core values of future IT specialists. This allowed confirming the leading idea of the research: Ukrainian students in IT specialties demonstrate the ability to acquire 21st century skills associated with values that support a “positive” vector in the functioning of an individual (benevolence, conformity, security, traditions, universalism, stimulation, and independence).