The Office of Education commissioned the study to identify and explore various policies concerning the education of adults: (1) to define the need, for the entire population and selected sub-groups; (2) to describe the current response, at all levels; (3) to identify and analyze the differences between need and response; and (4) to identify and explore alternative roles of the Federal Government (policies) to address such unsatisfied or emerging needs as might be identified. The study is concerned with all types of education for adults, at all levels, except full-time education in traditional institutions (high schools, colleges, and universities), and one-way communication (broadcast and print media). Available studies of adults' educational status were reviewed, and educational profiles of the population and sub-groups were prepared. Relevant legislation, significant social and educational literature, and available surveys were reviewed, and leaders were consulted, to determine what adults' educationally related capabilities should be, in order to develop criteria with which actual current conditions could be compared. The most reliable data about adults' participation and educational interests were surveyed. Largely comprised of implications for policy guidance, the body of the report includes some of the empirical data, in tables. (Author/AJ)