The retention factor of literacy must be the target variable in any projection of literacy programs of the future. Further, the success of literacy programs of the future is contingent upon the resolution of three major problem areas: (1) the concept of literacy; (2) the programs of literacy; and (3) the politics of literacy. A concept of literacy…

Approximately 25 million adults are currently reading below the fifth-grade level, and another 35 to 40 million adults read between the fifth- and eighth-grade levels. This is particularly significant for the American press inasmuch as the average daily newspaper is written at a minimum of a ninth-grade reading level. A number of unexamined…

This document contains a collection of direct quotations from the nearly 50 participants at a roundtable on workplace literacy. It also includes an executive summary, a list of participants, a list of related publications, and a synopsis of a presentation made at a follow-up activity.) The participants included business people, literacy experts,…

This document from the task force charged with assessing Wisconsin's adult illiteracy problem and recommending what to do about it reports that the state has 492,720 residents who are at or below the level of functional illiteracy and another 412,720 considered to be "at-risk" due to the increased demand for higher-level basic skills in…

The concept of an administrator of literacy programs as one who is reflective of the values of those responsible for the program is explored in this paper. The paper places literacy in a framework of values as an instrumental value, or journey toward an end state, requiring competency from the individual. The theories of Paulo Freire, who…

The position that the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) provides a data base that is compatible with various definitions of literacy and standards of competencies and can make a contribution to our understanding of the complex and controversial problem of literacy is supported in this paper. The paper notes that since the NAEP has…

Literacy being a major concern at state level preconferences, a theme conference was held to develop recommendations as to how libraries, in cooperation with other concerned agencies, can work toward solving the continuing problems of illiteracy in the U.S. Approximately 200 participants representing the library and educational communities, the…

Examines the responses from the state libraries to literacy issues studied in 1985 in two surveys--one of state initiatives compiled as background for the Second National Conference on Urban Literacy, and a survey of the chief officers of state library agencies. The California Literacy Campaign is described in detail. (EM)

Postsecondary institutions should participate much more in the federal initiative, through their usual functions of teaching, research, and service. Activities could include involving college students in adult literacy education through demonstration programs, tutoring, and student volunteerism. (MSE)

Proposes a comprehensive curriculum plan that views reading as a continuing process. (FL)

A literacy program incorporating adult learning principles was designed using functional materials and an appropriate methodology, and the feasibility of this program was assessed in an adult basic education setting. Analysis of achievement data indicated that the application of adult learning principles to adult literacy resulted in effective…

Before specific role of the public library in eradicating illiteracy can be determined, each library must determine the extent of the problem in its community; determine what is already being done; and analyze the library's resources. Specific involvement and goals must be determined for services to teachers and students. (EJS)

Discusses barriers to self-direction in the adult learner and their implications for the program of reading instruction. Recommends methods by which these barriers can be surmounted. (NRJ)

The author finds that Canadian progress toward lifelong learning and adult literacy has not been satisfactory, mainly due to the fragmentation inherent in provincial systems of education and to the lack of federal leadership. (SJL)

Humorously describes the "dumbing down/smartening up" phenomenon which, on the one hand, attempts to convey complex ideas in simple language, but on the other hand may water down the material so much that readers will never have to tackle even a moderately challenging reading task on their own. (RS)