This report is the result of a 2-year effort to solicit, produce, and analyze feedback from over 1,500 adults across the United States about what National Education Goal 6--the literacy and lifelong learning goal--meant to them. Part I is a synthesis of adult learner perspectives on Goal 6. It first describes the four purposes that drive adults' quest for skill and knowledge: literacy for access and orientation, literacy as voice, literacy as independent action, and literacy as a bridge to the future. It then describes how adults see their roles and responsibilities as workers, parents, and citizens. Finally, it links the pieces together, making clear why all four purposes must be addressed in every context in which adults are taught if they are to fulfill their rights and responsibilities as citizens and be prepared to compete in a global economy. Part II contains samples of the actual essays submitted by adult learners. They are divided into these sections: what it means to be literate, what it means to compete in a global economy, what it means to exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, voices of adults on welfare, and voices of adults in prison and treatment centers. Appendixes include an overview of project process and methodology, an open letter, guidelines, and a list of participating programs. (YLB)