This report traces the roots of Federal involvement in adult basic education in order to place the Adult Education Act in historical perspective. A brief chronological narrative focuses attention on the Federal role in adult education in three broad program categories: education for Federal employees, labor force development programs, and programs to develop literacy and basic skills. The section that follows summarizes the provisions of adult education legislation from 1964 to 1978. It covers the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, Adult Education Act of 1966 (Amendments of 1966), and the Amendments of 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, and 1978. Each summary provides the legislative history, purpose, definitions, and major provisions. The final section reports the major revisions in the Adult Education Act from 1966 to 1978 under the headings used in the legislation. The year and public law number are included for each of the noted changes. (YLB)