Philanthropists and policymakers sometimes opt to fund childhood education to "stop illiteracy at the source" at the expense of funding for adult literacy education. In 2000, "The New York Times" published an article about a gift of $100 million being given to schools in Mississippi to promote the teaching of reading to…

Article discussed the Faure Report and what it should mean to Canadian educators. (Editor/RK)

Attention has been focused on whether U.S. competitiveness in a global market can be sustained if the work force has deficient reading skills. The U.S. Department of Education estimates that 90 million adults (50 percent of the adult population) do not have the literacy skills they need to function in society. These persons have limited reading…

Describes three approaches to combatting the high illiteracy rates among adults: (1) working early with children who are poor readers or nonreaders, (2) improving adult literacy programs, and (3) training adult educators to teach lifelong learning along with reading skills. (CH)

This combined proceedings document presents the highlights of two historic national events: the First National Congress and the 1988 National Conference on Adults with Special Learning Needs. A summary of the Congress discusses the theme of empowerment and the declaration adopted calling for the adult and continuing education community to address…

This journal issue focuses on the learner, looks at why literacy has become a major concern and examines the changes brought about by the mastery of new skills. "Literacy/Illiteracy in an International Perspective" (Carman St. John Hunter) frames the discussion by stressing that literacy and illiteracy are moving targets, not fixed by…

This publication reviews and summarizes the findings of the major benchmark studies and reports in adult literacy--beginning with the University of Texas' Adult Performance Level Study of 1977 and continuing through the 2006 NAAL survey results, A First Look at the Literacy of America's Adults in the 21st Century.

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 publication contains materials from a workshop organized to help its participants understand and apply the concept of learning centers. Chapter 1 is an introduction. Chapter 2 consists of two presentations: "Literacy and Continuing Education for Improvement of Quality of Life in Asia and the Pacific" and an explanation of the World…

Major forces that will create more change in adult education programs and new concepts for the future of the adult learning society are described in this report of the Adult Education Conference of 1979. Changing demographics, new delivery systems, career education, competency-based education, credit for experience, and illiteracy are discussed.…

Suggests that the means to eliminate illiteracy are available in Africa if nations devise and implement a strategy of action based on an effective political will and adopting a methodical, rational approach. Discusses the current situation, negative factors, repercussions on development, and future demands. Argues that promoting basic education…

Notes that although much has been written about widening access to recurrent education during the 1970s, much less has actually been done. Identifies the educationally and socially deprived and states the problems which educational broadcasting could help to overcome for these groups. (Author/CSS)

Two separate historical traditions have influenced Swedish literacy: the church and formal schooling. In answer to the challenge of the International Literacy Year 1990, Sweden has formed a national committee to address such issues as future literacy missions, support of international understanding, and stimulation of research. The National Board…

The study is a description of the activities undertaken within the framework of the work-oriented adult literacy pilot project in Iran, an evaluation of its first measurable results, and an examination of the problems of functional literacy in the light of the Iranian experiment. The first chapter traces the efforts of the Iranian authorities over…