This book explores changing understandings of literacy and its place in contemporary workplace settings. It points to new questions and dilemmas to consider in planning and teaching workplace education. By taking a social perspective on literacies in the workplace, this book challenges traditional thinking about workplace literacy as functional…

The purpose of this publication is to inform the literacy field of the effect that recent political changes in the U.S. Congress could have on the literacy and adult basic education (ABE) fields, how the various legislative processes work, and how individuals in the literacy field can participate in the legislative process. The various steps in…

This examination of the relationship between illiteracy and the labor market in California describes in general terms the effects of widespread illiteracy on employers, the unemployed, employees, and the California economy. It discusses current programs which address the lack of basic literacy skills in the labor market, and identifies some of the…

A study examined the nature and extent of adult literacy needs in the American labor force. Data for the study were collected from a review of the literature, site visits to nine industry-based training programs, and consultation with a technical panel of experts. Input from company managers, instructors, and trainers familiar with the…

The Adult Literacy Program at the Alameda County Library provided employment oriented programs. The project served a community of over 200,000 people, and targeted workforce/workplace learners. The project served 578 adult learners and provided 35,904 hours of direct tutoring service. The report provides a comparison of actual accomplishments to…

This document, intended to assist Australia's national industry training advisory bodies, is a practical guide to developing English language, literacy, and numeracy inclusive national training packages. The guide is divided into three sections devoted to the following topics: (1) context (literacy in the workplace, literacy in training, literacy…

This report analyzes recent English-language research on basic skills in the workplace. Part A, a thematic guide to the field, includes detailed references to publications listed in Part B. Section A1 indicates the scope. It defines basic skills and underlines the importance of other terms, especially key skills, information and communications…

Research identified a literacy assessment program applicable to the adult population functioning at pre-General Education Development (GED) test levels. An attempt to align the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) with the Illinois State Board of Education Learning Standards failed. ACT Work Keys emerged as the recommended and most effective…

This report summarizes issues facing New Zealand's modern adult literacy movement and places it in the context of the rapidly changing skill demands of the 21st century. Part I introduces political, economic, and social issues facing New Zealand. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the issues and structures that create the current climate. Part II…

A comprehensive strategy for allocating New York's resources for combating illiteracy must be adopted. The state's education department must become more active in coordinating literacy education efforts by publishing and circulating a directory of all public, private, and volunteer literacy services currently available. The state education…

This article reviews recent ground-breaking research studies that can provide guidance for policymakers and practitioners interested in improving literacy in the United States. Each section provides a brief analysis of major research findings, followed by a series of recommendations. These issues are identified: the close relationship between…

This final performance report provides project outcome information and data to the U.S. Department of Education for the federally-funded Library Literacy Program. The Stratford Library Association (Connecticut) conducted a project that involved recruitment, retention, training, basic literacy, collection development, tutoring,…

The Columbia County Public Library (Lake City, Florida) conducted a project that involved recruitment, retention, public awareness, training, basic literacy, collection development, tutoring, computer- assisted, other technology, intergenerational/family, and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. The project served a community of…

This Final Performance Report provides project outcome information and data to the U.S. Department of Education for the federally-funded Library Literacy Program. The Literate Adults Mean Prosperity (LAMP) project of the Summers County Public Library (Hinton, West Virginia), provided recruitment, retention, training, rural oriented, basic…

This policymakers' guide examines considerations in developing policies regarding the development and evaluation of workplace literacy programs for seven targeted worker groups that have been especially adversely affected by recent demographic and economic changes. Section 1 presents considerations and recommendations for developing workplace…