The special needs education and peer tutoring programs developed by the Maryland Department of Education reach the large numbers of inmates with low literacy levels or learning disabilities. They have been instrumental in making instruction more effective for all students. (JOW)

To serve adults with disabilities without a high school diploma, the federal government and states have funded adult education and literacy programs that provide services to accommodate the needs of those adults. In addition, the Tests of General Educational Development (GED Tests) provide adults with disabilities with testing accommodations to…

In this paper, the author would like to put forward a number of issues to think about and discuss. At the same time, she argues for a better articulated system that more closely matches the needs and goals of various subgroups of English language learners. Adult ESL programs serve diverse immigrant populations with different needs and goals. A…

The issue of evaluation in adult literacy is addressed in this paper. It is assumed that evaluation is a necessary and vital function in an adult literacy program because it helps administrators understand their efforts, increases information available about a program's functioning, builds an image, and facilitates the discovery of information on…

Describes the Soviet Union's success in eradicating illiteracy and the role that adult education made in that effort. Elimination of illiteracy began in 1919 and was achieved by 1959, when 99.3 percent of males and 97.3 percent of females between the ages of 9 and 49 were literate. (JOW)

Reviews literature on U.S. Office of Education-sponsored Adult Performance Level project that cites among its accomplishments (1) a model for competency-based education, (2) creation of national awareness of illiteracy, and (3) individualized programs. Among its insufficiencies are absence of reliable measures of validity, value-laden curriculum,…

A longitudinal study of 162 New York Adult Literacy Initiative students found that 97% were satisfied, felt the learning environment was supportive, and felt the teacher's attitude was critical. Retention suggestions were to use daily living experiences and challenging curricula, broaden the curriculum for men's interests, and attend to safety and…

Although efforts to combat illiteracy in the Arab world began several decades ago, the illiteracy rate in Arab countries is one of the highest in the world, as there are more than 70 million illiterate people in Arab countries. By contrast, many countries in the world have succeeded in eradicating adult illiteracy within a few decades. The study…

The Literacy Plus Project, begun in 1985, provides tutoring for English-speaking adults aged 16 and over who live in the Hayward (California) Public Library service area, and whose reading and writing skills are below eighth-grade level. During the 1988-89 program year, the program trained 84 tutors (goal: 100) using a program developed by the…

This article provides a critical review of the instructional materials provided to volunteers by Laubach Literacy Action, titled The Laubach Way to Reading. A history of Laubach Literacy International (LLI) is followed by a description of materials. The LLI philosophy of reading is discussed, and comments on the value of the materials are offered.…

Classifies student life-styles as entrepreneurs, superiors, regulars, suppliants, marginals, and underclass. Identifies demographic and attitudinal differences among these groups and discusses implications for programming decisions in adult literacy programs. (SK)

A study of 10 groups of learners in workplace literacy programs at 6 companies was used to develop and refine a data-based model for evaluating workplace literacy programs. The learners (n=181) completed pre- and post-assessments. In a structured one-on-one interview, information was gathered on learners' beliefs about literacy and their own…

New York--You Can Read, the state's adult literacy project, was developed to accomplish the following: (1) produce a focused adult literacy public awareness campaign in coordination with national and statewide literacy efforts; (2) increase the public's knowledge of adult illiteracy; (3) improve the promotion and marketing capabilities of local…

Presents research findings on the character and effectiveness of developmental studies programs. Points out 11 elements common to those developmental programs reporting the most complete and promising retention data. (DMM)