Post-literacy efforts depend on the design of a literate environment that ensures adequate opportunities for application of literacy skills. Literacy programs can combine local resource management skills with cultural or political revitalization programs that mobilize human resources. Post-literacy must include primary school leavers and must pay…

Problems and issues in measuring functional literacy are explored through an overview of definitional dilemmas, synopsis of widely known assessments, examination of the concept of ecological validity, and discussion of the impact of concepts of validity on the interpretation of functional literacy test performance. (SK)

Discusses issues related to the movement toward minimum competency in secondary education. Addresses the problem of defining minimum competency and the dangers of imposed standardization. Identifies three conceptualizations of minimum competency as: (1) the narrowly educational standpoint, (2) the concern with functional literacy, and (3) a more…

Literacy issues are discussed that affect Canadians age 15 and older who are barely literate in any language. Topics include the following: definitions of literacy; policy overviews and surveys; the impact of literacy on Canadian institutions; access for literacy learners; adult learning and classroom practice; and the plain language movement. (76…

Areas of concern for matching adult readers and programs are theoretical orientation (meaning based, code based, or interactive); programing factors (reading assessment, goal formation, affective factors, negative schooling attitudes, student interests, reading interpretations); and methodologies (phonics, whole word, neuro-impress, repeated…

Reviews a number of issues from the Namibia World Literacy Consultation (October 1990): the legitimacy of nongovernmental organizations, definitions of functional literacy, mother tongue versus bilingual and bicultural literacy, funding, and war and occupation. (SK)

Examines the involvement of public and village libraries in literacy and postliteracy programs in Africa south of the Sahara during the last two decades. Issues discussed include the extent of illiteracy in Black Africa, populations served by village libraries, African rural strategies of development, and the implications for library services. (44…

Argues that qualitative research on the language needs of elderly refugees is critically important to developing responsive English-as-a-Second-Language programs for this group. (34 references) (GLR)

Argues that while the literacy needs of the adult center primarily on obtaining information from nonfictional texts, literacy instruction in the schools concentrates on fictional texts and literary appreciation. Demonstrates the origins of this chasm in the socialization of schooling over the last 300 years in America. Presents a plan for making…

Little empirical evidence exists on how adult literacy learners act as consumers. Yet, adult literacy programs often employ a "functional" approach to consumer education and assume that adult learners are deficient in consumer skills. Data from a qualitative study of the consumer behaviors of adult literacy learners are used to explore how adult…

This textbook is part of a Mexican series of instructional materials designed for Spanish speaking adults who are in the process of becoming literate or have recently become literate in their native language. It is designed to orient people with little education or developing literacy skills to a sense of responsibility toward their families.…

A study evaluated one local Even Start project, using the results of the final report of the "National Evaluation of the Even Start Family Literacy Program" for comparisons where possible. The clearest result of the national evaluation is that the amount or intensity of service is directly related to the strength of effects for both…

The International Seminar on Functional Illiteracy and Professional Incompetence as Risk Factors of Modern Civilization and the Role of Adult Continuing Education in Overcoming Them examined the modern problem and definition of illiteracy, the causes of professional illiteracy, measures to eliminate the causes, and recommendations for further…

Adult students of English as a second language (ESL) need to learn how to express in writing what they know how to say. An introductory lesson plan is presented which has helped students put their words into writing. A unit on communicating personal information is developed from the first class meeting's introductions of name, address, occupation,…