The potential of programs supported by the Basic State Grants section of the federal Adult Education Act was evaluated; the first interim part of the study provides descriptive information on the adult education service delivery system. The study drew primarily on data collected from two surveys of local adult education programs--a universe survey…

Media reports suggest widespread illiteracy among adults who may not be able to read, write, speak, or otherwise communicate competently enough to meet the demands of modern society. No consensus has been reached regarding a definition of illiteracy or supporting statistics. Estimates of adult illiteracy range form 0.5% to 50%, meaning that of the…

Based on a program developed in Texas, this guide was developed to help correctional educators coordinate educational services in the community with adult education program providers in order to provide appropriate programs for parolees and probationers. Following an introduction that explains terms of the criminal justice system and…

The process of developing indicators, measures, and standards of program quality can be considered a tiered, four-step process consisting of the following: (1) identification of topic areas important to program quality; (2) establishing the indicators that reflect quality for each area; (3) determining measures of the indicators; and (4) setting a…

As a preliminary to developing criteria to meet quality control requirements of the National Literacy Act of 1991, a study examined federal and state development of measures of program quality and performance standards for programs funded under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education…

This document contains charts and tables that describe illiteracy and education (particularly adult education) in Louisiana. A few statistics are given in narrative form at the end of the document. The headings on the tables and charts are as follows: Decreasing Illiteracy in Louisiana (1960-1980); Decrease in the Number of Illiterates and…

This six-chapter report describes Hong Kong's experience in promoting nonformal and quasi-formal education programs aimed at enabling adults, especially those with limited formal educational experience, to engage actively in social activities and cope with the change of employment conditions in the city during its post-World War II growth from…

Problems in the measurement of gain in adult literacy programs were investigated through repeated testing of a group of students in adult basic education and General Educational Development classes and through computer simulations. Ninety-two students were tested at 3 different times over 7 months with a battery of norm-referenced reading and…

A study was conducted to find out about the people who conduct and work in adult literacy programs in New York City (NYC). Through a questionnaire distributed to NYC literacy practitioners working in programs operated by public libraries, the City University of New York, the New York City Board of Education, and community-based organizations, the…

A study was conducted to describe and analyze the types of curricular and instructional approaches currently being used in adult literacy programs in New York City. A small representative sample of 16 programs and 48 staff members were selected for study. Information was gathered through onsite observation and interviews with 39 staff members.…

A study of the Center for Literacy's (CFL) program was conducted to provide information on retention and attrition in an urban, open-entry/open-exit, individualized, goal-based literacy program. An exploratory analysis that used student and tutor records from 1985 through 1989 provided a summary of demographics and attendance patterns. This…

Materials from a conference on computer use in adult literacy programs are provided. Introductory materials include a history of the conference and the agenda. A summary of the keynote address, "Impact of New Information Technologies on Literacy" (Linda Roberts), is followed by a brief overview of the conference opening. Descriptions are provided…

This bulletin for businesses is a step-by-step guide to planning and implementing an effective job-related employee basic skills program. Part 1 provides general principles to guide the effort. It addresses literacy and basic skills, the importance of context, and changing requirements for literacy. A preview of key program principles concludes…

This journal issue focuses on the learner, looks at why literacy has become a major concern and examines the changes brought about by the mastery of new skills. "Literacy/Illiteracy in an International Perspective" (Carman St. John Hunter) frames the discussion by stressing that literacy and illiteracy are moving targets, not fixed by…