The convergence of education and the economy is dramatically illustrated by the emergence of the global marketplace and the changing nature of work in the U.S. The problem is not jobs, but finding qualified, skilled workers. Project Literacy U.S. (PLUS) is using broadcast communications to address the nation's functional illiteracy problem. (MLH)

Recent cognitive and historical research as well as the perspectives of workers can challenge the popular myths of literacy and work. It is believed that workers do not possess the necessary literacy skills for current and future jobs. Forecasters specify which groups will dominate the future work force--women, minorities, and immigrants. Since…