In July 2011, the Welsh Government published the first data on adult literacy and numeracy in Wales since 2004. The summary information from the National Survey of Adult Skills in Wales shows that there has been an improvement in literacy levels (though challenges still remain), but little improvement in numeracy. Discussions are ongoing with…

The role of functional literacy, linked to employment, leads to a narrow view of rural learners' need both economically and socially. The drive for individuals to take responsibility for their own learning and development is, indeed, a good thing. However, the burden of guilt felt by those who are unable, or unwilling, to achieve the standards set…

While college composition theory/pedagogy courses are standard offerings in composition and rhetoric graduate programs, specialized basic writing graduate courses lag behind. At the same time, there is a pressing need for highly qualified teachers of nontraditional adult students, especially in community college and adult literacy education…

The Literacy Community Planning Process (LCPP) was intended to assist Ontario communities in comprehensive planning to meet the needs of adult learners requiring training in basic literacy and numeracy. In the first phase, 59 local LCPP committees and 4 literacy networks submitted community profiles to the Literacy Section of the Ontario Training…

Students and teachers in adult literacy programs in Columbus, Ohio, and London, England, were interviewed using structured questions relating to past educational history, perceptions of encouragers and barriers to participation in education, support systems, the nature of success, and future expectations. Those interviewed were selected by…

This paper describes the whole language approach to literacy education in the context of teaching adults. Information is drawn from literature and from interviews with teachers and literacy students. Topics covered include the following: whole language--a framework, learning language, learning through language, learning about language, what people…

The Council of Adult Education in Victoria, Australia, is one of a number of government adult education providers in the traditional adult education model which is now experimenting with new forms to deal with a growing diversity of adult student needs. Changes in organization, programs, and services are discussed. (MF)

This collection contains the texts of four draft papers and four responses that were presented at a symposium on defining literacy. The following papers are included: "Definitions of Literacy" (Richard L. Venezky); "Definitions of Literacy: Responses" (Reynaldo F. Macias); "Literacy for What Purpose?" (Larry…

Studies show Hispanics to have substantially higher rates of illiteracy than any other major population group in the United States. Illiteracy is one of a number of language problems for this population; other problems include limited oral English proficiency and native language illiteracy. Hispanics drop out of school in higher numbers and leave…

This discussion paper provides background material to four issues identified as important to study for the adult literacy effort in Washington State: goals and outcomes, priorities for service, effective practices, and roles of providers. The paper provides a starting point for decision making. First, it sets a backdrop for the attention focused…

This paper provides a transcript of a videotaped roundtable discussion on learning disabilities among people in adult literacy programs in Canada. Panelists discussed several definitions of learning disabilities, such as processing difficulties, physical difficulties, and receptive difficulties. They debated the usefulness of labeling persons with…

The quality of a literacy program can be assessed by taking into account the following factors: purpose of the program, how the program meets the most important current needs of the adult population, if it is accessible to the people who need services, and whether the literacy content is relevant to learners' needs. Flexibility of funding also is…

Testing of skills in reading, mathematics, and English as a second language (ESL) was conducted at 12 programs for homeless people in California in 1992; 2,111 homeless persons were evaluated. Analysis of the data revealed that approximately 63 percent of the participants were male and 37 percent were female; 35 percent were between 20-29, 39…

A participatory approach to adult literacy education aims at getting the learner to function at the highest level of responsibility possible regarding program activities; it demands an active approach. Characteristics of a participatory literacy program include the following: activities that emphasize what learners already know, learners…

The Adult Learner Competencies Project included literature research and consultation with adult education practitioners in Pennsylvania to establish learner competencies that could be used by all adult basic and literacy education (ABLE) providers in the state. During the project, existing and emerging lists of adult learner competencies were…