This paper explores how Culturally Sustaining Systemic Functional Linguistics (CSSFL), a theoretical and pedagogical approach, facilitates emergent bilingual (EB) students' engagement in explicit, equitable literacy practices within the unique context of a middle school intensive reading classroom. This design-based research (DBR) study documents…

A statewide concentrated literacy campaign using Operation Alphabet telecasts was launched in Florida in 1963. This article relates the history of the campaign, describes Operation Alphabet, and evaluates some of the instructional procedures used. (PT)

An analysis of the performance of 3,355 high school learning-disabled students on the State Student Assessment Test (part of Florida's minimum competency testing program) revealed that large numbers performed poorly on basic skills assessments. Less than half demonstrated mastery on 16 of 34 communication skills tested. (JW)

A study was conducted to assess the impact of the Florida State Student Assessment Test (FSSAT) (Functional Literacy Test) on the enrollment in secondary-level vocational education courses. The 67 school districts in Florida were grouped according to population density into three levels of urbanization (low, medium, and high). Ten percent of the…

Adults and youths who have not developed normal reading skills are experiencing difficulty in passing the written test required in the procurement of a driver's license. The document is a modified handbook, written to enable persons who are not able to comprehend the material included in the "Florida Driver's Handbook" to pass the…

This resource guide contains guidelines and information (much of which is specific to Florida) on organizing and implementing literacy programs to reach and teach functionally illiterate older adults. Section 1 presents a profile of illiterate older adults and guidelines for linking existing programs and services and lists organizations involved…

This overview of intergenerational and family literacy programs in the United States consists of five sections, a bibliography, and four appendices. Section 1 presents background information and expectations for programs and describes the target populations and program designs and administration. Section 2 describes the research base and the…

This report recommends that an annual report be made to the citizens of Florida about the state of literacy in Florida. The concept of literacy is defined in terms of levels of literacy and basic skills required to achieve the different levels. A review of the literature on literacy is the basis for three suggested levels of literacy: (1)…

The Palm Beach County, Florida, Adult ESOL Curriculum Development Project, which was funded by a state Section 353 Demonstration Project grant, is described. The primary goal for this 2-year project was to develop a model adult English-for Speakers-of-Other-Languages (ESOL) curriculum for the state. A needs assessment was conducted statewide and a…

After studying the testing and remedial programs used in Florida's public schools, the Task Force on Educational Assessment Programs presented its findings and recommendations. Findings are reported regarding: the schedule for implementing the testing program (which requires that students pass the Functional Literacy Test before they may graduate…

A procedure which employs a method of item substitution based on item difficulty is recommended for developing parallel criterion referenced test forms. This procedure is currently being used in the Florida functional literacy testing program and the Georgia teacher certification testing program. Reasons for developing parallel test forms involve…

This document reports how the Council of State Policy and Planning Agencies (CSPA) Academy process helped nine states develop workplace literacy initiatives involving their governors' offices, the Job Training Partnership Act system, and the educational system. The states were Florida, Idaho, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Tennessee,…

This document is the third volume of the Adult Literacy Leadership Project, an effort to identify the educational and training needs of Florida's literacy personnel--instructors, administrators, and advisors. Volume three contains an annotated bibliography on effective strategies for combatting adult illiteracy. The bibliography covers the…

THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROJECT WERE TO PREPARE AND FIELD TEST INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FOR USE WITH ADULTS READING BELOW THE SEVENTH GRADE LEVEL. TWO STUDIES WERE MADE IN NORTHERN FLORIDA IN 1967 OF GAINS IN READING VOCABULARY AND COMPREHENSION BY STUDENTS USING TRADITIONAL MATERIALS. THE HIGH DROPOUT RATE IN THE FIRST STUDY PRECLUDED USEFUL…

New minimum high school graduation standards were mandated for 1978-79 graduates, by Florida's Educational Accountability Act of 1976. Requirements included mastery of basic skills, completion of minimum course credits, and satisfactory performance on functional literacy tests. The literacy test was the primary criterion for graduation. On its…