Discussion of illiteracy in Australia: (1) statistical evidence on the incidence of adult illiteracy, (2) explanations for illiteracy, and (3) possible solutions to combat illiteracy. (ABM)

The author discusses factors inhibiting adult literacy in India, stating that institutional schooling has provided education for only a small percentage of the population. As an adult literacy curriculum depends on community needs, he suggests a core or minimum curriculum for adult basic education in the community. (MF)

Prisoner reentry continues to be identified as an important issue in the public affairs arena, and a proposed initiative would offer new funding to support transitional services for returning inmates. Education generally does not top the list of identified reentry issues, but education can be appropriately identified as a potent solution. It is…

A national research project was conducted in Australia on the professional development needs of curriculum writers, industry trainers, and vocational teachers in relation to the development of language, literacy, and numeracy competence in vocational education and training. Data were collected through the following methods: a review of literature;…

Information is presented in recognition of the United Nations General Assembly proclamation of 1990 as International Literacy Year (ILY). It is shown that, in 1985, there were an estimated 889 million adult illiterates in the world (more than 25% of the adult population), and more than 100 million children of primary school age in developing…

The introduction of Open University educational television programming in Great Britain has contributed greatly to more effective industrial and technical education. Target audiences include married women, illiterate adults, Asian immigrant workers, and those changing jobs in mid-career. (MW)

Four papers concerning the Lawrence (Massachusetts) Literacy Coalition, a consortium of 12 two- and four-year colleges supporting adult literacy activities in the region, are presented. The first paper offers an overview of the coalition, including the reasons for its formation, a definition of literacy, the scope of the coalition's work, and…

Although the majority of today's young adults meet or surpass the "literacy" standards of 25 years ago, they often lack the level of literacy needed to meet current demands. The National Assessment of Educational Progress studied a nationally representative sample of 3,600 young American adults, aged 21 to 25, to determine how well they could…

A basic set of principles for adult education reflects what should be found in each state and local program. First, basic skills should be mastered by all students. Second, course content should be directly related to learner, labor market, and community needs. Third, partnership efforts should be expanded and strengthened. Fourth, programs must…

Adaptable as a planning and analysis tool for any educational unit which desires to assess resources and needs for reading/literacy instruction, this needs assessment has been designed with three basic sections: summary of present programs; projections and priorities for new programs; and a summary of reading needs. The assessment procedure is…

A case study was made of the participation and results of participation in an adult basic education (ABE) class by an African American student in her mid-40s. The woman had been a janitor and was promoted to supervisor of 17 custodial employees in building management. She attended ABE classes for 3 years. During this time, she advanced through…

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…

This booklet presents the ideas that came out of the Regional Meeting for Adult Literacy and Rural Development. The meeting took place in September 1981 at the Regional Center for Adult Education and Functional Literacy for Latin America (CREFAL) in Mexico. Basically, a discussion of adult literacy in the rural areas of Latin America is presented.…

During the 1980s, the United States experienced a resurgence of interest in adult literacy that is likely to continue through the 1990s. The factors that have led to renewed concern about adult literacy include the following: a changing workplace requiring increased literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills; a recognition that new entrants to…

This paper presents a case and some ideas for integrating basic skills development with occupational training. Explaining why traditional instructional methods do not work in the workplace, the paper summarizes learning theories that support work force literacy programs. It explains how to identify the skills needed in the workplace, provides…