This article describes three programs which provide formal student engagement training and leadership opportunity with adult basic education learners.

Adult basic education (ABE) policies aim to help adults improve their literacy, numeracy and information and communications technology skills, as well as their qualifications, often in pursuit of economic gains such as better employment and earnings. The large-scale improvement of skills and qualifications has been referred to as a wicked policy…

Adult basic education students manage adult responsibilities and obligations and personal goals related to school. They commit their time and limited resources and thus are investors in their own learning. As investors, their voices matter. When one countywide adult basic education program implemented a systemic plan to ask students upon entry…

The focus of the Technology Solutions for Adult Basic Skills Challenges column is common challenges of adult basic skills practitioners, expressed, for example, in the Literacy Information and Communication System (LINCS) Integrating Technology group for which, David Rosen is the moderator, in other LINCS groups, in his national and state…

Grandparents raising grandchildren represent a population of adults who confront complex interpersonal and environmental challenges. The intent of this case study was to gather and interpret evaluative data to better understand the impact of a 1-day community education program for grandparents who raise their grandchildren. Extension's philosophy…

Zimbabwean economic migrants and political refugees have been given refuge and provided with shelter at the Central Methodist Church (CMC) Refugee House, in central Johannesburg. The refugees have successfully initiated learning and training programmes which resulted in the establishment of a combined school, namely "St. Albert Street Refugee…

Building health literacy skills among adult learners has the potential to contribute to efforts to eliminate health disparities and improve health outcomes. Adults with limited literacy skills are more likely to be underserved by health services and at risk for poorer health. Recognition of the need for stronger health literacy skills and a desire…

To promote the academic success of and to retain adult students of color, the Academic Services Unit at the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM), an urban Catholic university, in Detroit Michigan, has designed and implemented the Professional Mentor Program Plus, funded by the State of Michigan's King-Chavez-Parks (KCP) higher education initiative,…

In this article, the author reports on how a state-of-the-art learning centre based in an old storeroom at First Bus's Orpington depot came into being with support from the Transport and General Workers Union, the European Social Fund, the Learning and Skills Council, and eventually from First Group. The author also describes how it has…

Wichita, incorporated in 1870 as a village, is the largest city in Kansas. Its population has increased continually. During the 1970s and 1980s, there was a huge influx of refugees into Wichita. In this article, the author discusses the growth of adult basic education in Wichita and relates stories of several adult basic education students.…

Describes Book Bridges, a community-based family literacy program which aims to increase literacy for parents and children through composing and sharing family stories. Discusses how immigrant mothers' experiences in a reading workshop, writing workshop, and literature circles combined to support the development of English literacy, personal…

This article focuses on the Lawrence Adult Learning Center, the only program in Kansas offering Adult Basic Education. The LALC has been a program on wheels, always moving to another location. Its mission is to enable adult students to: acquire appropriate skills and knowledge necessary to become informed decision makers and effective…

Describes the Adult Literacy Program for beginning readers operated by Communities Organized to Improve Life, a coalition of neighborhood groups dedicated to improving the quality of life in west and southwest Baltimore. Examines the community-based nature of the program, facilities, instructional materials, staffing, and benefits. (DMM)

There are an estimated 23 million functionally illiterate adults through the country; 30 million more have such limited proficiency that they are only marginally capable of being productive workers. The proportion of undereducated Appalachian adults is estimated to be substantially higher. Literacy programs offer hope, but are usually underfunded.…

Indicates that staff development is a fundamental part of adult basic education. Describes a staff development program used in New Mexico and makes recommendations for other programs. (JOW)