This handbook presents a wide range of research on adults who have low literacy skills. It looks at the cognitive, affective, and motivational factors underlying adult literacy; adult literacy in different countries; and the educational approaches being taken to help improve adults' literacy skills. It includes not only adults enrolled in adult…

"Illiteracy" is still a powerful concept in adult literacy education. St. Clair and Sandlin examine the use of the term and the policies and programs it currently justifies. The authors argue that the concept of illiteracy should be avoided due to its inherent deficit focus.

Family literacy is relevant in the education of the child, especially in the South African context with its millions of people, especially those in disadvantaged rural areas, who are currently illiterate or insufficiently literate. The level of literacy in the home and a child's exposure to learning experiences influence the success of instruction…

A study examined the broad range of family literacy programs across Michigan to document how goals, instructional practice, assessment methods, staff training, and social support for participants varied. Three established models of family literacy were identified and described: the Kenan Model, Parents as Partners in Reading (PPR), and HIPPY (Home…

The Dorchester County Even Start Program follows the model for the National Even Start Program and provides an interdisciplinary approach planned to develop a supportive environment conducive to the improved literacy of parents and their children. Participant families of the Even Start Program must consist of at least one parent who is 16 years of…

Presents findings from a two-year evaluation of a family literacy program in rural Appalachian Ohio. Demonstrates positive results for both impact/outcome and process objectives. Highlights an extensive network of interpersonal and interagency relationships that maximized resources and supported families as they changed. Suggests the importance of…

This theme issue focuses on the need for adult literacy programs, as well as recent innovations in literacy education. "Adult Literacy and Leadership: Current Innovations" (Aurelio M. Montemayor) describes an adult literacy outreach program in Texas, and discusses the importance of family literacy for parents' involvement in their…

This report proposes a plan of action to help the United States meet its literacy challenges. Section 1 is a call to action that emphasizes the challenge posed by the 1993 National Adult Literacy Survey that found more than 40 million adults--over a fifth of the adult population--have low literacy skills. Section 2 presents literacy as a national…

The first phase of Book Bridges, an English-as-a-Second Language literacy project for immigrant women and their children, was evaluated. Fifteen clients completed the first 10-week, 60-hour program designed to increase English vocabularies, give clients opportunities to express ideas in English, and provide a framework for facilitating…

Data from the fifth sweep of Britain's National Child Development Study were analyzed to investigate the relationship between parents' literacy and numeracy problems, other parental characteristics, and their children's reading and mathematics abilities. Strong relationships were found between parents' self-reported literacy problems and their…

Texas' overall goal must be to reduce the percentage of its population without basic literacy and numeracy skills to no more than the percentage of jobs available to these underprepared workers. With only 14 percent of tomorrow's jobs projected to require less than a high school education, nearly one Texas worker in five will be unemployable. The…

Thirteen national leaders were interviewed about their concerns and hopes for adult literacy. Questions focused on research and public policy, literacy awareness, harmful notions and misconceptions in the field, and the role of the new National Institute for Literacy (NIL). Everyone interviewed stressed the need for research and public policy that…

The Cleveland Public Schools developed a family literacy program to address the needs of both parent and child and attempt to break the cycle of illiteracy. Fifty parents who were Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA)-eligible participated in the project. They attended one of four 9-week sessions. Course content included literacy, preemployment and…

This guide provides information on the Parents-as-Partners-as-Learners project that is designed to encourage a love of reading in children and to increase communication between the home and school. Section A is an overview of the four phases of the project that are initiated by an adult literacy animator (facilitator) in a primary school: Phase I,…

A study examined the literature to determine the veracity of the criticism of some educators who say that family literacy programs in the United States fail to take into account important cultural issues when dealing with certain target groups. Issues invoked included the need to take traditional cultural values and practices into account in…