This paper looks at some issues around "learning to read" from the viewpoint of a social practice concept of literacy for both child and adult literacy. This calls for an ethnographic approach that, although increasingly common in the field of adult literacy, is less common in the policy and practice of schooling; there, a more…

A discussion of the issues, trends, practices, and research on the assessment of literacy covers such subjects as formal classroom instruction, literacy programs, child literacy, and adult literacy. A 22-citation annotated bibliography and a 36-citation unannotated bibliography are included. (CB)

Pennsylvania's family literacy programs were subjected to a statewide evaluation in 1999-2000. Data were collected through focus groups with parents, a survey of staff in community agencies and organizations, and analyses of program data and the findings of selected assessments administered to adults and children involved in the program.…