A one-day meeting of leaders of basic skills organizations was held in order to create a consortium to promote the sharing of ideas and information, assist in the transfer of effective programs and materials, and encourage the joint development of new programs and products to train adults and youth in need. After familiarizing themselves with the…

This document describes 12 literacy programs operated in Houston under the auspices of the Houston READ commission, which is funded by corporate, foundation, and federal sources and serves disadvantaged adults with minimal literacy skills. For each program the sponsors and purpose are described, as well as program and student progress made, and…

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…

This booklet is concerned with how basic skills work with young people and adults can be maintained and developed in the next few years in light of Great Britain's Education Reform Act. An introduction provides a brief overview of the content of the act. Section 2 highlights the basic skills needs in England and Wales. In Section 3, current basic…

This document examines the activities and resource needs of local basic skills programs; examines the major national organizations that lead, coordinate, and provide technical assistance to local providers; suggests how new organizations can assist and support the delivery of adult literacy services; and recommends public and private sector action…

This document takes a comprehensive look at the resources, problems, and needs of the literacy field and focuses on the long-term requirements for expanding literacy services and ensuring high quality instruction in the United States. (A major conclusion is that the present system, with proper funding and other resources, has the capacity to…

Intended for trainers of literacy providers and practitioners in the field, this manual explains how to develop a workplace literacy program and market it to employers. Chapter 1 provides an overview and history of workplace literacy and recommends improvements in literacy services. Chapter 2 examines approaches to developing workplace programs,…

This volume is part of a series that is designed to promote stronger ties between the educational resources in the Northeast and Midwest and the economic development process. The discussion identifies steps that businesses, education communities, and public policymakers can take to define literacy standards and raise basic competency levels in…

Module synopses and resource lists are provided for eight adult basic education modules on authentic Blue Ridge Mountain crafts, each designed to utilize basic skills and develop avocational or vocational skills (see Note). Included are explanations of the skills incorporated in each module and a resource list, including local people and…

This curriculum guide was developed to provide a consistent reading improvement curriculum throughout the Lansing, Michigan, adult education program. An introductory section contains a statement of the purpose of the program, its objectives and goals, student and teacher survey forms, general instructions and suggestions for using the teaching…

The Generic Skills Curriculum is based on studies and surveys conducted from 1972 to 1975 by the Training and Research and Development Station to determine certain generic skills used in some 76 occupations across Canada. Generic skills are defined as those behaviors which are fundamental to the performance of many tasks carried out in a wide…

Presents a discussion of the rethinking of the role of literacy in African nations. Emphasis is needed on measurement concepts for peasants. Cultural motivations are suggested as important considerations when planning literacy programs. (SA)

A study was conducted to determine how the approach to assessing outcomes in Adult Basic Education exemplified by the Adult Performance Level Survey compares with the most widely used approach exemplified by the General Educational Development test. Test scores suggest that reading ability significantly affects performance on both tests.…

The author describes the Employment Training program developed by the Work Based Learning Project. This program is designed to help trainers break down tasks into needed skills and to evaluate competence in various skills. (CH)