Through the life history of a 20-year-old dropout living on the fringes of society, this article points out the lack of systematic, educational efforts to support or influence young people once they are out of school. (GC)

Given the large gap between the millions of adults in need of basic literacy skills and the shortage of teachers, tutors, and funds to serve them, computer-assisted instruction (CAI) has the potential to reduce the gap. The merits of CAI include its holding power, provision of a positive learning environment, opportunity to learn about computers,…

The author states that economic problems are the impetus behind a new call for school reform. Various proposed solutions are discussed, such as new governance structures, teacher improvement, and educational vouchers. (CH)

This article describes the development process and products of a two-year project designed to improve basic skills instruction in existing secondary social studies courses. Includes a sample lesson plan and student handouts. (JDH)

Consists of four articles on teaching basic skills in vocational agriculture classes. Topics include (1) a survey of the current situation, (2) developing the "new" basic skills for a changing society, and (3) teaching writing skills. (CH)

Describes a South African project to develop an on-the-job training program combining education with productive, income-generating work in inner-city Johannesburg. Discusses partnerships, recruitment, and evaluation. (SK)

Although there may not be a direct causal relationship between illiteracy and crime a look at the broader picture points to a significant connection. As many as 50 percent of adults in federal and state prisons cannot read or write at all; the majority of prisoners are poor; blacks, comprising only 12 percent of the general population, make up…

This quarterly report on the Kailua Intermediate School's Excellence in Education Project provides information about the status of the project's four components, success of the project, replication of the project in other schools, and the project budget. The four component areas described include the skills laboratory, Homework Assist Program,…

The authors describe Workbase, a British trade union organization that trains manual workers in communication skills, and explain the Workbase approach. This approach features flexibility and allowances for individual needs. (CH)

Describes functional literacy for those interested in office-based occupations. Components of office literacy include computer and cultural literacy, as well as reading skills. Offers six propositions that have implications for office literacy curriculum development. (CH)

The purpose of this study is two-fold: (l) to formulate a comprehensive inventory of educational objectives representative of the cognitive, affective, psychomotor, and social dimensions of individuals and (2) to share the results of a pilot test of an inventory undertaken with educational administrators and curriculum decision makers. (Author)

Presented are the results of a survey to determine how qualified the recent graduates of engineering schools are. Comments from employers are included. (SA)

Conducted a study to determine the level of basic skills achievement among Ohio high school business education seniors. Found that these students lacked competency in general knowledge and in computational skills, basic English skills, and typewriting skills. (GC)

The role of higher education institutions may be changing as the public becomes increasingly disquieted by the enormity of the adult illiteracy problem. Recognizing the need to help growing numbers of semiliterate freshmen catch up, colleges and universities have set up centers to provide basic skills programs, counseling, and other services.…

Unions are natural providers of basic skills instruction. They are in daily workplace contact with their membership, are trusted to work on members' behalf, and speak the language of the worker. Unions are trying to address the needs of illiterate workers through collective bargaining arrangements in which employers contribute a percentage of…