This compilation offers global examples of innovative and promising literacy and numeracy programmes that link the teaching and learning of literacy to sustainable development challenges such as health, social equality, economic empowerment and environmental sustainability. This publication is a timely contribution to the 2030 Agenda for…

The issues and problems faced today in regard to reading instruction were reviewed, and suggestions for meeting Commissioner Allen's challenge of the "Right to Read" were made. Three realities in United States education today include (1) the generally higher quality of the products of our schools than in the past, (2) startling statistical…

This booklet, issued as a contribution to the International Education Year, presents various aspects of the problem of advancement of women through access to education, and describes what Unesco is doing in this field. Emphasis is given to the education of women as a factor in the advancement of humanity. The education of women is discussed from…

This speech is about respect for small things and suggests that schooling could benefit from the care and attention enabled by a smaller scale. Among the points made are that, yes, all children can learn, but that is no big deal. Schooling should contribute to their education, but schooling is far from being identical with education. Learning…

The National Adult LIteracy Survey was a nationwide survey of a random sample of approximately 26,000 adults. The survey collected information about individuals' social, economic, and educational histories and their literacy activities. Their functional literacy was also assessed using simulated functional or real-world tasks designed to determine…

Minimum competency testing has been mandated in one form or another by local school boards or by legislatures in 36 states. Court consideration of such testing has focused on the intent and the consequences of the testing. Where racial segregation in education has existed, courts have argued that even several years after desegregation, testing can…

Arguments are presented for extending Universal Primary Education to school age children as well as Universal Basic Literacy Education to illiterate and semiliterate adults in Nigeria. Proposed financing of such programs is outlined. (JMF)

Reviews previous experience and activities in literacy in Arab countries. Discusses the possibility of eradicating illiteracy by the year 2000. Describes the literacy strategy of the Arab states, its limitations, principles for a comprehensive literacy campaign, and examples. Includes the current status of illiteracy and actions being taken in…

Mississippi students are now being tested at almost every grade level. Passage of the Functional Literacy Examination (FLE) will be a prerequisite for a high school diploma beginning with the 1989 graduating class. This emphasis on testing, without an accompanying commitment to ensuring all students equal access to a full academic core curriculum,…

The national language of Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesia, although there are hundreds of languages and dialects spoken by different ethnic groups. In 1977, more than 26 million Indonesians were illiterate in their national language. Present efforts to eradicate illiteracy include construction of 10,000-15,000 primary schools annually since 1973 and…

This report presents the results of a study of the Nonformal Primary Education (NFPE) program, a relatively new educational delivery system developed and implemented by the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC). The NFPE program is a collaboration among a non-governmental organization (NGO), international donors, and some of the most…

Clarifies the concept of universal basic education. Highlights the need for performance criteria and ways to measure literacy attainment. Identifies issues related to improving primary education, seeing adult literacy as its necessary complement. Underscores the substantial resources required to achieve universal basic education. (CH)

Discusses problems facing developing nations in achieving UNESCO's goal of equality of educational opportunity. Mentions continuing inequality in literacy rates between developed and developing countries, and between the sexes. Describes functional illiteracy. Blames lack of progress on rates of demographic growth, pace of educational expansion,…

The Louisiana Literacy Plan is designed to address the learning needs of all students in grades PK-Adult Education in order to improve the literacy rates of students in the state, thereby developing a more literate and capable citizenry for the future. Connecting this plan to the No Child Left Behind Act, Louisiana seeks to close the achievement…

This second report from the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) builds on the data analysis of seven countries presented in the first IALS publication in 1995 and adds literacy data for five additional countries--Australia, Belgium, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The introduction presents an overview of new key findings and…