Identifies six "back-to-basics" factors that can have a positive effect on future industrial arts education program development: the instructor, students, objectives, content, methods and techniques, and evaluation. (CT)

Differing points of view on the relative merits of open schools and traditional schools are examined. (JD)

Business, labor, and education representatives from Canada and the United States exchanged positions on workplace literacy. Discussed were the need for a consumers' guide to workplace literacy, labor's stake in literacy, educators' negotiations with businesses in providing services, and program evaluation. (JOW)

Literacy education is modeled along a continuum moving from a technical conception of literacy to a conception of literacy as praxis, or critical literacy. These competing models are contrasted, and special emphasis is given to one adult basic literacy organization that is managing to humanize the process. (Author/BJV)

Points out that, to keep the work force up to date, business, industry, and labor groups are inviting adult basic educators to design and implement retraining programs at the worksite. Provides suggestion for designing custom-made basic skills instruction using work-related materials. (JOW)

Presents a broad overview of the assessment movement. Reviews several approaches to assessment including basic skills, general education, major, and student development. Considers the nature of assessment in the communication field. (KEH)

Traces the history and philosophy of core skills. Suggests that, although the way they are used in training and vocational education has positively changed the way skills are viewed, the approach is narrow in outlook, especially the General National Vocational Qualifications, and may not serve the best interests of industry or society. (Author/JOW)

The General Educational Development Tests can be used to place adult basic education students for study, to measure progress achieved, to enable students to qualify for postsecondary education, and to evaluate program effectiveness. (SK)

Points out that the employment of secretaries is expected to rise faster than the average for all occupations through the 1980s. This presents a challenge for business teachers: training students with necessary skills to fill these vacancies. (JOW)

Trained in affective methods, teachers in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) are helping students raise reading scores, improve comprehension, and feel good about learning. (Author/JM)

Satellite telecasts and videotape are discussed in this two-part paper, which is based on the preliminary experiences of Project BEST (Basic Education Skills through Technology), a dissemination project for communicating about the use of technology in teaching basic skills, and providing functional experience with new information communication…

Offers a rationale for collegewide writing across the curriculum (WAC) approaches. Assesses the effectiveness of a WAC project at Medgar Evers College involving two courses (computer science and chemistry). Reports improvement in students' ability to summarize an article's content and writing fluency. Includes writing assignment instructions and…

Evaluation of adult literacy programs requires different criteria from those used to judge regular schooling. Indicators for evaluating adult voluntary programs with individualized curricula are recruitment; retention, including absenteeism; one-on-one tutoring with volunteers; training in a context; support services; the "quick-fix" syndrome;…

Achieving good quality in Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) training is hampered by the lack of a common definition of quality. Five ideas have been consistent in definitions: targeting programs; long-term, in-depth training; basic education; work skills training; and supportive services and guidance. A definition must include suggestions on how…

This publication contains nine articles about the process of doing research by literacy practitioners and volunteers in several areas of the Ontario (Canada) literacy field. "Implementing a Workplace Program: A Look Back" (Maria Ioannou-Makrakis) describes the process followed and the learning outcomes from planning, implementing, and…