This report summarizes and cross-references the results of 12 studies dealing with competencies for Adult Basic Education (ABE) and diploma programs. Described in the report are the following studies/projects: (1) the Adult Performance Level (APL) Study; (2) five APL-based validation studies (the New Jersey ABE Study, the New Jersey English as a…

This report examines rural practice in adult literacy programs and estimates the extent and nature of rural illiteracy. Surveys were sent to 3,287 rural literacy programs; more than 700 program directors responded for a return rate of 22 percent. In addition, 150 program directors and key state literacy contacts were interviewed by telephone.…

Leaders in business and industry are demanding workers who not only can read and write but can think creatively and critically and solve problems. Federal- and state-funded programs and volunteer organizations are involved with adult literacy. Increasingly, corporations are funding adult literacy projects. Adults read for different reasons than…

The adults who participate in classes, workshops, and other learning opportunities are as diverse as the kinds of programs in which they enroll and the reasons for which they enroll. Adult learners are multifaceted, appreciate flexibility in teaching strategies, and want a say in what they will learn. These purposes for adult education are…

A study examined information from 107 workplace literacy program descriptions from the United States and drew conclusions about joint partnerships, funding, and flexibility. Most of the program descriptions were found in an extensive search using the ERIC database. The programs described were from 1989 and 1990. Some of the findings were the…

In this report of a project to research existing industrial training of basic skills are provided an overview of the project and examination of four aspects associated with training. Part 1 is a detailed account of the search procedure that located and reviewed literature on basic skills training industry. A bibliography of the sources found in…

This report provides as complete a description as available data permit of the nature and operations of the Adult Education Act Grant Program. It is divided into three major chapters. The first presents programmatic background information and a legislative history of the Adult Education Program providing funds to state and local projects. Chapter…

Adult basic education (ABE) and literacy programs have used many different strategies and tools to recruit new students. A small sampling of Tennessee ABE programs shows the more effective recruitment strategies are word-of-mouth referrals; newspaper advertisements and articles; fliers; brochures; posters, radio messages, and public service…

This review provides a background summary of the Commonwealth's involvement in the field of adult literacy in Australia. The review is not research based and does not make recommendations, but it highlights the issues that are important for the future direction of the Commonwealth's involvement in the field. The review is organized into seven…

The Canadian federal government will commit $25 million to an initiative aimed at assisting immigrant women. The initiative will support settlement orientation, and language and skills training to help immigrant women adapt to Canadian life and enhance their employment opportunities. Funding areas include the following: (1) delivery of basic…

This document introduces community leaders and practitioners to innovative approaches to improving workforce literacy by building accessible lifelong learning systems to prepare adults with the array of skills needed to prosper in the new economy. The introduction defines literacy and workforce literacy and outlines the challenges that education,…