In 1996, individuals associated with the Lifelong Learning Center in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, proposed the formation of a three-district literacy consortium in a tricounty rural area that would cooperatively offer adults residing in the districts the option of earning a standard high school diploma in lieu of a General Educational Development (GED) certificate. Although school districts in three counties adjacent to Schuylkill County were invited to join the consortium, only one large Northumberland County school district was prepared to commit to the project. A consortium committee consisting of seven representatives of Schuylkill County school districts and one Northumberland County school district was formed. Developing a workable plan for programming involving multiple entities proved more challenging and time consuming than originally planned. However, the consortium did adopt the general design for a program requiring all program participants to complete 90 hours of instruction in academic core subjects and demonstrate their ability to apply academic skills to real-life situations by completing a graduation portfolio. The consortium is currently in the process of finalizing the following products: graduation portfolio guidebook; 90-hour curriculum; written student recruitment strategy; and staff development plan. Implementation of the program is scheduled for the 1997-1998 funding year. (MN)