An action research project based on the concepts of scaffolding, situated learning, and the zone of proximal development explored ways to embed basic skills development in everyday situations for people with learning difficulties. The underlying assumption was that people learn most effectively in situations meaningful to them. (SK)

The secondary level program of Spring Lake (MI) Public Schools provides services necessary to develop community living skills. Students proceed through three phases: daily living courses (basic academic subjects); prescriptive programing based on the student's needs; and vocational orientation, preparation, and training (including a senior year…

A number of important issues must be addressed during the process of graduation competency identification. Each school system must determine what it means by the term competency before identifying a set of graduation requirements. Graduation competencies may emphasize school subject skills, basic skills, or skills needed in everyday life. Life…

Eight articles address research in teaching essentials of decoding, instruction and research in reading comprehension, strategy training for arithmetic instruction, functional competence in communication instruction, vocational skills instruction for the handicapped, community living skills instruction for mildly retarded persons, and…

Learning disabled students need to be exposed to instruction in functional reading and mathematics, social information, and verbal and nonverbal social skills so that they can function as competent individuals in the every-day world. (CL)

The article offers suggestions for teaching secondary students with mild to moderate disabilities the school survival skills of attending class, arriving promptly, going to class prepared, meeting assignment deadlines, talking to teachers appropriately, and reading and following directions. (DB)

Public perception of adults with developmental disabilities realizing learning gains often remains illusive. This paper highlights key findings in achievement in basic skills for adults with mental retardation on a functional assessment in a life skills context for three program years (2003-2006). In this study the time period between the pre- and…

This second article in a two-part series reviews the literature in the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) on the Adult Performance Level (APL) project and other programs for adult education. (See CS 710 176) (KS)

Describes different ways in which curriculum development has taken place and suggests future possibilities for each of the options. Defines basic terms and examines the teacher's function in curriculum development. (Editor)

Describes two educational programs designed to assist disadvantaged adults in personal development and social adjustment. (SB)

Reports on the extent of illiteracy in the United States and explores various definitions of literacy. (GT)

Educational excellence is shaped by and reciprocal to the confidence of students in their ability to pursue programs that challenge their abilities, provide access to opportunity, and rest upon self-knowledge and informed choice. This demands vocational guidance and assessment. (JOW)

Presents a continuum of literacy programs: academic (General Educational Development, basic skills), situated context/cognition (workplace learning), literacy integrated with life skills, and literacy integrated with job skills. Matches types of learners with program types best suited for them. (SK)

The report describes first year accomplishments of the Career and Life Skills Project, an approach using the arts to enhance basic skills development of moderately and severely handicapped youth. Among major accomplishments reviewed are staff selection, experimental site selection, conduct of writing seminars for staff, and development and…

The article describes a curriculum model for the severely handicapped which utilizes the traditional notions of content, scope, and sequence and relates these concepts to the learning and generalization processes. (DLS)