Literacy as a unified concept is no longer valid or useful for today's complex world, where globally we face many challenges and contradictions. Adult literacy is shifting rapidly, and the human need for visually communicating meaningfully and relationally -- beyond 'reading and writing' -- is vital for addressing wicked problems and difficult…

Background/Context: In contrast to cultural constructs that equate education with cognitive development and formal schooling, the Latin American cultural model of educacion encompasses academic knowledge and social competence. Prior scholarship has mainly investigated parental notions of educacion vis-a-vis childrearing and schooling, primarily…

Background/Context: Educational researchers have long sought to understand the factors that enable or constrain persistence in non-formal family literacy and adult education programs. Scholars typically posit three sets of factors influencing persistence: situational (learners' life circumstances), institutional (programmatic factors), and…

The note discusses some key issues pertaining to gender, literacy and women's empowerment in India. It uses disaggregated data to illustrate the persisting gender disparities with regard to literacy and points out that despite this there is a lack of real political will to address issues of adult literacy. It further draws on data from the…

It may be good to remind ourselves that ICAE was created in 1973 as an international non-governmental organisation in the context of CONFINTEA III which was held in Tokyo in 1972. Ever since it has grown as a global network. The ICAE Executive took the initiative to start a process to prepare for CONFINTEA VI in Brazil via a virtual seminar to…

The article examines the role of literacy training and adult basic education in alleviating the socio-economic problems of the disadvantaged adult. (MW)

Adult illiteracy is a major social problem in America today; it is disproportionately high among the poor and minorities. Among the complex causes of illiteracy are ineffective schooling, intergenerational transmission of literacy or illiteracy (reinforced by poverty and discrimination), and rising standards of functional literacy. Beyond the…

This report displays 1990 U.S. census data for Colorado and each of its 63 counties. Selected characteristics include population, English as a Second Language, educational attainment, labor force participation, poverty status, and public assistance income. Data, which may be useful in examining assumptions made concerning those characteristics,…

Notes 1990 is UNESCO's International Literacy Year. Presents alternative ways of overcoming illiteracy in Latin America. Suggests major contributing factors concern the region's weak economy. Argues the state's role is decisive in transferring resources to marginal sectors. Views literacy as a basic human right and that it allows for democratic…

This document consists of 6 figures and 67 tables that together present national, regional, and state profiles of those individuals aged 16 years and older who have not attained a high school diploma or equivalent and are not currently enrolled in school. Included in the tables are the following target population characteristics: number of years…

Intended for people in government and other agencies who make decisions on policy or on funding for literacy, this short report of an international seminar on literacy summarizes seminar themes. The first topic considered is the rationale for investment in education. The connection between literacy and national development is stressed, and three…

Studies reasons undereducated adults decide not to participate in adult education with 12 female and 8 male (18 African American and 2 white) adults interviewed in Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania). Memories of early schooling were a powerful factor affecting the decision. Adult education methodology can benefit greatly from research into early schooling.…

An Edmonton (Alberta) adult learning center developed a participatory education program that integrated literacy development with health promotion. Low-income women learned skills and strategies to access health information and resources, as well as related literacy and language strategies, and subsequently reported improved eating and exercise…

This book is directed at the following audiences: adult educators and others who are either involved in or desire to become involved in community-based work; students of education, the social sciences, or related disciplines who desire information on community involvement as a career or means of fulfilling civic responsibilities, and persons in…

Discusses problems facing developing nations in achieving UNESCO's goal of equality of educational opportunity. Mentions continuing inequality in literacy rates between developed and developing countries, and between the sexes. Describes functional illiteracy. Blames lack of progress on rates of demographic growth, pace of educational expansion,…