This theme issue focuses on the need for adult literacy programs, as well as recent innovations in literacy education. "Adult Literacy and Leadership: Current Innovations" (Aurelio M. Montemayor) describes an adult literacy outreach program in Texas, and discusses the importance of family literacy for parents' involvement in their children's education and for advocacy efforts. "Literacy Is Vital to Democracy" (Mikki Symonds) argues that a functional democracy depends upon the participation of all citizens, which in turn requires education that fosters critical literacy, as well as bilingual education for language-minority students. "Exploring New Directions in Adult Literacy Assessment" (Pam McCollum) recommends a reconceptualization of adult literacy assessment to make it more responsive to student needs and goals. "Implementing Family Literacy" (Ninta Adame-Reyna) describes four types of family literacy programs and offers suggestions for program design and implementation. "Project SALNET: Helping Adult Learners and Their Instructors into the Twenty-first Century" (Laura Chris Green) describes the San Antonio Adult Literacy Network, which incorporates a local electronic bulletin board system into a three-phase program focusing on the writing process, word processing, and reaching an audience through telecommunications. "What IDRA's Project SALNET Has Meant for Our Students" features comments from project instructors. This issue also contains a statement of immigrant students' rights to attend public schools and a list of additional readings on lifelong learning. (SV)