The development of adult literacy provision in the United Kingdom from the 1960s onwards can be divided into three parts that correspond to significant shifts in approaches to adult literacy. First, the discovery of adult "illiteracy" during the 1960s led to government grants, a national Right to Read Campaign, and the development of…

Although the ERIC database includes descriptions of documents containing education statistics, it is not designed to provide answers to specific statistical questions. The single best alternative source for statistics regarding all aspects of education and literacy is the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department…

This book describes a study of the uses of reading and writing in Lancaster, England, in the 1990s. It offers a detailed, specific description of literacy practices in one local community at one point in time. The book is designed to contribute to the theoretical understanding of literacy by linking literacy to a more general understanding of…

The Saskatchewan Older Adult Literacy Survey involved 16 literacy programs offered by the regional colleges, public libraries, and technical institutes throughout the province of Saskatchewan, Canada. The 2-month survey acquired information for an overview of the current state of older adults and literacy in Saskatchewan through mailed…

The article reviews the literacy programs and research in Latin American countries during the 60's and 70's. Education is reviewed by leaders and educators as an essential factor in furthering social and economic development. Data on literacy and programs and a bibliography are included. (JB)

Using interviews provides insights into the lives of two groups of low-literate adults, in order to better understand the high attrition rate in adult literacy programs. Identifies ideology, conviction, and structural/environmental support as significant factors which are determiners of continued participation in such programs. Clarity in program…

Human cognitive system and information processing theories were used as the theoretical base that frames an interpretation of adult literacy research from World War I (WWI) through 1993. These theoretical perspectives are as follows: (1) literacy learning is grounded in a distinct developmental sequence; and (2) literacy learning is dependent on…

Little research on literacy learning in persons with developmental disabilities has been done. The little that does exist makes clear that some individuals with autism can, and do, learn to read. Adults and adolescents with cognitive impairments have received greater research attention than have others with developmental disabilities. Subjects…

In the fields of adult literacy and adult learning, most researchers have focused on the acquisition of various skills and abilities. Very little attention has been devoted to skill retention. Without more research information, it is difficult to know whether the literacy skills learned in the nation's adult education programs are likely to be…

Several factors have been involved in elevating education as a prime issue of national concern. One such factor has been the advent of new technologies; another has been the report by the National Commission on Excellence which found a steady decline in Scholastic Aptitude Test scores, an increase in adult illiteracy, selection of nonrigorous…

Discusses a project in Melbourne, Australia developed to explore the nature of the problem of illiteracy amongst non-migrant adults who had passed through the school system, to discover what sort of people were illiterate and to what extent, and to examine the influence of home and educational background, and to assess the ability of sensitive and…

A discussion of the needs and consideration of the appropriateness of various methodological approaches used in conducting research projects on adult literacy. (WL)

Illustrates how a Malian adult literacy project linked to economic development activities was shaped by village realities: prior emergence of a literate ideology in the village, villagers' entrepreneurial aspirations and beliefs about literacy's consequences, and class organization paralleling traditional male age-associations. Contains 12…

Examines the rhetoric of family literacy focusing on restricted programs (family literacy programs that combine adult basic education for parents and early literacy) in relation to five issues: (1) the usage of the term family literacy; (2) targeting restricted programs to selected families; (3) program accessibility; (4) educational effects; and…

Throughout its history, adult literacy education has been defined, researched, and controlled by external entities. Action research is now enabling literacy practitioners and learners to gain a voice through production of their own knowledge. The applicability, benefits, and inherent risks of practitioner action research are discussed. Contains 53…