Participants in a teacher workshop compared these two approaches to learning outcomes in adult numeracy: (1) teaching mathematical skills and (2) using and applying mathematics from real life. The first approach was illustrated by an Ontario, Canada, program based on traditional school math, whose outcomes are skill-based and are the following:…

Most welfare-to-work programs may be classified as quick employment programs emphasizing individual or group job searches or skill-building programs emphasizing basic education. Although both types of programs offer benefits, they also suffer from significant limitations. To be more effective than their predecessors, current-generation…

This report was based on telephone interviews with 86 individuals from 53 workplaces across Canada. The study sample included a diverse range of workplace types and sizes from both large and small communities. Of the eligible workplaces contacted, 93% were able to participate. The interview questions focused on why workplaces started basic skills…

A study of the skill priorities of Connecticut's adult education stakeholders asked 838 business and industry providers, 4,846 learners, 774 instructional service providers, and 753 state agencies and public service providers to rate how critical 55 competencies are to an adult's ability to function in society and the workplace. The competency…

The Arlington (Virginia) Better Beginnings Coalition hired one full-time and one part-time employee to provide outreach services to out-of-school pregnant teens and teenage mothers. A career development specialist worked with outreach personnel and coordinated structured weekly prevocational training. Cooperating agencies identified 55 young women…

Jersey City State College (New Jersey) developed a local evaluation model to assess all salient aspects of the institution's basic skills program. The college's Academic Foundations Program was implemented to address the needs of urban educationally disadvantaged students. It includes faculty and staff development and research, freshman course…

The new technology is forcing vocational education decision makers to establish policies that will influence the direction and focus of vocational education during the next decade. This task is further complicated by the difficulties associated with forecasting the types of skills that will be required by future workers. While many educational…

One of the priorities of Florida's educational system is helping all students acquire the basic skills necessary to perform the reading, writing, and mathematics tasks required by everyday living. The Florida Statewide Assessment Program provides information on the effectiveness of the state, each district, and each school in achieving this goal…

The skills, understandings, and special attributes that a competent college student should acquire are described. General skills in writing, reading, speaking, and calculating are primarily the responsibility of elementary and secondary education, and these skills must be mastered by every college student. In addition to a specification of these…

This document is designed to assist school districts to implement the Massachusetts State Board of Education regulations requiring the setting of performance standards in basic skills at three grade levels. The appropriate procedures are described in the manual: (1) setting of basic skills objectives, at three grade levels; (2) the selection of…

A project was conducted in Pennsylvania to determine what changes might improve the effectiveness of the State's adult basic education (ABE) program. Northcutt's construct of functional competency adult performance level (APL) and Mezirow's program evaluation model provided the basis for the project's two components: APL assessment and program…

Designed for use by teachers of the trainable mentally retarded, primary through postsecondary levels, this curriculum guide integrates development of verbal and written communication skills with the student's career development. The guide contains instructional objectives, suggested learning activities and teaching techniques, and information on…

Levels of mental retardation and school admission procedures for the dependent retarded (IQ's 30 to 50) are reviewed. Goals for all retarded and the application of goals to the dependent retarded are considered. Plans and procedures for both teacher and child activities along with suggestions for audiovisual and other materials are provided in the…

A Europe-wide consultation elicited contributions from more than 12,000 citizens and was conducted to identify coherent strategies and practical measures with a view toward fostering lifelong learning for all. The responses called for a broad definition of lifelong learning that emphasizes learning from preschool to postretirement and encompasses…

This document presents a series of reflections on the development, mission, and accomplishments of the National Institute for Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), which has worked to influence policy concerning adult education and other areas of social and cultural life in the United Kingdom since its founding in 1921 as the British Institute of…