As part of the development of a functional literacy test for fourth through eigth grade children in Title I compensatory education programs, this report defines functional literacy for children and enumerates criteria for evaluating existing tests. Criteria for selection of a test include: (1) content, empirical, and construct validity; (2)…

Precision teaching can accelerate basic skills progress of special needs children. Issues discussed include using probes as performance tests, charting daily progress, using the charted data to modify teaching methods, determining appropriate age levels, assessing the number of students to be precision taught, and carefully allocating time. (JDD)

This British guide contains reviews of software available for Basic Skills, including English for Speakers of Other Languages, in both education and training for employment. In addition, it offers guidance on how to use software effectively to develop basic skills. Section 1 provides information about the following aspects of the guide: computers…

This publication is designed to help Neighborhood Networks centers create programs that meet the goals of adult literacy learners. (The centers provide residents of federally assisted or insured properties with training in economic self-sufficiency.) Chapter 1 highlights the special characteristics of adult learners--the challenges they face and…

Answers teachers' questions about using children's literature and young adult literature with adult students. Offers suggestions for using these books in the classrooms, and for selecting such books. Offers a list of 24 picture books and young adult books useful for adult learners. (SR)

Gives 10 essential tips for building children's collections, including using a systematic spending plan; applying circulation figures; making replacement purchases a priority; getting more copies and fewer titles; allocating funds for popular paperbacks; buying paperback fiction; seeking basic skills materials; taking advantage of vendor services;…

The Adult Literacy and Basic Skills Unit (ALBSU) is committed to improving the quality of basic skills provision in England and Wales. It has encouraged the development of quality assurance in basic skills so that potential and existing students know what they should be entitled to expect. ALBSU's Good Practice documents published since 1984 have…

This guide, developed through a workshop of communicators from diverse U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' agencies, outlines a process for developing publications for people with limited literacy skills. The process was derived from communications, health education, and literacy research and practice. The guide features both proven…

In educating children with disabilities, training for independence should begin early, and the "technology" may be very simple. This paper lists activities designed to increase gross, fine motor, cognitive, and eye-hand coordination skills needed for independent living. It encourages caregivers to engage young children in active learning…

This paper, written from an Australian perspective, examines the contribution of oral language disorders to the classroom performance of secondary students. Five brief case examples illustrate the effects of language disorders on social competence, ability to follow verbal instructions and routines, ability to cope with a bilingual background, and…

The State of New Jersey has established core proficiencies for those courses most high school students take to meet state graduation requirements. The purpose of the core course proficiencies is to assure that students throughout the state taking similar courses are acquiring the same essential knowledge and skills. This document presents the core…

The result of interviews with literacy coordinators and library directors of literacy programs in representative libraries throughout Pennsylvania, this document encourages local libraries to develop adult literacy activities as an integral component of basic library service and provides program planners with guidelines and suggestions for…

This curriculum guide is intended for use by superintendents, district directors of instruction, curriculum writers, principals, and teachers in identifying instructional resources that will aid their schools in meeting specific requirements of the Defined Minimum Program and objectives of the Basic Skills Assessment Program. It also aids in the…

This resource manual for administrators, supervisors, and teachers was developed to foster the effective use of the in-class instructional model in basic skills improvement (BSI) programs in elementary schools. Funded by federal, state, and local sources, BSI programs are designed to be coordinated with school districts' developmental programs to…

This guide is intended for use by superintendents, district directors of instruction, curriculum writers, principals, and teachers identifying instructional television resources that will aid their schools in meeting specific instructional requirements of the Defined Minimum Program and objectives of the Basic Skills Assessment Program. Suggested…