Six reporters in diverse areas looked at how their communities were responding to adult literacy, basic skills, and workplace literacy programs. This guide contains six reports, three in each of its two parts: (1) Reporting on Welfare Reform--Is the Story Literacy or Decent Jobs? and (2) Reporting on Literacy Programs--Is There a "Literacy/Basic Skills" System? Part 1 contains the following papers: "San Diego--Gain, but at a Big Price" (Sharong Jones); "Akron--Training for 'Slave Labor,'" (Thrity Umrigar); and "Belle Glade--Heavy on Referrals, Light on Jobs" (Christopher Boyd). Part 2 contains the following papers: "Laurel--Adjusting Again to Higher Skills" (Lea Anne Brandon, Reagan Walker); "Tucson--Skills Gap in Two Languages" (Susan Knight); and "Westchester County--Cracks in the Systems" (Rhoda Gilinsky). The following conclusions are presented: (1) few data attest to the success of these programs; (2) math skills may be more important than reading skills; (3) lack of support services is a significant barrier to program success; (4) no single system for adult literacy exists; (5) more coordination between programs and employers is needed; and (6) programs are more successful if participants improve literacy skills while preparing for jobs. (NLA)