This source book presents a complete system for the training of adult basic education teachers. It consists of six sections. Section 1 provides an introduction to and overview of the system. Section 2 outlines fifty-five competencies needed by adult educators. (These competencies are grouped in the following eleven areas: building effective relationships with adult learners; understanding adult learners and adult learning; integrating community resources into adult education programs; assessing adult learners; planning, managing, and evaluating learning activities; continuing professional development for adult educators; performing non-instructional tasks; teaching general life skills; and teaching specific program areas.) Section 3 contains five assessment instruments, including three teacher self-assessment instruments and an interview assessment for adult education teachers. Section 4 provides listings of resources for each of the fifty-five competencies outlined in section 2. Types of resources listed include printed materials, modules/kits, audiovisual materials, people, and sites. Section 5 covers learning strategies. It consists of four models for competency-based staff development programs, a staff development questionnaire, and a sample learning contract. Section 6 contains a description of Texas A&M University's graduate programs in adult education and descriptions of and order forms for twenty-two learning modules for adult educators. (MN)