One of the greatest challenges in education today is to adapt and respond to a linguistically and culturally diverse world, and to combat social disintegration and discrimination. Participatory and collaborative action research represents an empowering and emancipatory approach to this challenge because the "target groups" become…

This Brief first summarizes research findings regarding computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and its effectiveness in adult literacy education programs. The following findings are given: CAI is effective for a significant number of adult learners; CAI is effective because it provides the adult learner with flexibility, control, individualization,…

The article reviews the guidelines and progress of the adult reading project entitled "Reading Development" initiated by the Cambridge, England Committee of Education in 1971. (MW)

This manual is designed to serve as a step-by-step guide for managers of volunteer adult literacy sites. It discusses day-to-day responsibilities, suggests procedures, and provides forms and directions for their use. The guide is organized in four sections. Following information on the guide and background information on literacy education in…

Addressed to professionals involved in program evaluation, this working paper covers various aspects of evaluation planning, including the following: planning as a sociotechnical process, steps in evaluation planning, program planning and implementation versus evaluation planning and implementation, the literacy system and its subsystems, and some…

This packet of materials was created to help literacy professionals, social agencies, volunteers, and media representatives promote literacy efforts in Michigan, especially during Literacy Action Month (September). The materials can be used to support literacy in the community, in democracy, in the family, and in economic development. Items…

Written for use with the REEP (Refugee Education and Employment Program) Curriculum, this curriculum guideline makes modifications and includes additions to make the REEP curriculum suitable for use in any non-intensive English as a Second Language (ESL) program. (The REEP Curriculum is intended for use in an intensive five-day per week program; a…

This handbook was written to inform and raise questions among volunteers and paid staff who are new to teaching the undereducated adult learner. In its five sections the handbook discusses some of the more frequently observed characteristics of the undereducated adult, and the implications of these characteristics for adult education teachers as…

This report summarizes the findings of a workshop convened to examine the implications of the "direct and equitable access" provision of the National Literacy Act (1991). For its successful implementation, this provision requires a willingness by state adult education offices, national and state literacy organizations, and other…

This guide was developed to meet the needs of the increasingly large number of nonliterate and semiliterate adult English-as-a-second-language (ESL) learners in the Chicago metropolitan area. It is suitable for learners who are illiterate or semiliterate in their native languages, or who are literate in a language using a non-Roman alphabet. The…

This report contains the proceedings of a public forum held to explore and exchange definitions and theories of literacy and to present examples of successful literacy programs in Louisiana in 1990. The following presentations are included: "Conference Welcome" (Patti Roemer); "Conference Introduction" (Michael Sartisky);…

A literature review examined the extent to which public funds for adult basic education and the guidelines under which funding is granted are meeting the needs of the target population as delineated by law. Research was limited to adult basic education programs funded by Federal and state monies and operated through the public school systems of…

This study examined current initiatives related to adult literacy in Canada. A literature search, interviews with government personnel, telephone surveys, faxed questionnaires, and interviews with key individuals were used to assess four kinds of initiatives (teaching/learning opportunities, support to programs, policy development, and…

A project was undertaken to develop, field test, and revise strategies for adult beginning readers (ABRs). During the first phase of the study, the researchers identified roadblocks to use of word recognition clues by ABRs. Based on data and feedback from local and state piloting and general principles of learning, the project staff developed the…

The Lutheran Settlement House Women's Program has offered many different avenues of personal exploration for more than 5,000 women in its Philadelphia neighborhood for 6 years. The women's program components include adult basic education classes, self-development workshops, a community-based degree-oriented college program, a bilingual crisis…