The Adult Performance Level (APL) project summary specifies the competencies which are functional to economic and educational success in society and describes devices developed for assessing those competencies. The APL theory of functional competency identifies adult needs in general knowledge areas (consumer economics, occupational knowledge, community resources, health, and government and law) and in primary skills (communication skills, computation skills, problem solving skills, and interpersonal relations skills). The APL project methodology involved the following activities: specification of competencies, development of performance indicators, field test and subsequent revision, national assessment of competency, and determination of competency levels. Three APL levels are identified: APL 1--adults functioning with difficulty, APL 2--functional adults, and APL 3--proficient adults. An APL national survey (five samples totaling 7,500 adults) on functional competency reports the competency levels of adults according to knowledge and skill areas and demographic groupings, with 20% falling in the APL 1 category. Additional performance data related to general knowledge areas and primary skills are provided. Possible methods for APL implementation and dissemination in the classroom, local program, State, and national levels are suggested as well as its implications for elementary and secondary education. Appended materials include additional notes on APL goals, objectives, and tasks. (Author/EC)