A number of findings and recommendations regarding the mission of Private Industry Councils (PICs) under the Job Training Partnership ACT (JTPA) were developed based on information collected in several ways: a focus group of PICs, roundtable discussions held nationwide with staff from nearly 100 PICs in 45 states, and canvasses of more than 200…

This report of an exploratory study of Adult Basic Education (ABE) gives a brief summary of background and methodology and represents findings about students and teachers in Shelby County, Tennessee. For the students 41 findings are reported relating to age, sex, race, marital status, years of schooling completed, employment, income, life style,…

A study to determine size and characteristics of Ohioans eligible for adult basic education (ABE), program awareness/interest, and conducive attendance conditions. Telephone interviews with 1,536 persons over 16 but with less than 12 years of schooling revealed that: persons eligible/interested in ABE were demographically distinct, and 60 percent…

Attrition among students in adult basic and secondary education programs has been a perennial problem. Conducting research on this population is also problematic once they have dropped out of a program. A study surveyed 76 dropouts and 35 General Educational Development (GED) program completers from two large, multisite programs about factors…

Project PROVE (Parolees and Probationers Realize Opportunities via Education) provides adult literacy and General Educational Development (GED) test preparation for paroled offenders in Louisville, Kentucky. Released offenders are either required or encouraged to attend the program by their parole officers. Interviews with 12 program participants,…

A study was conducted of three New Hampshire library literacy tutorial programs to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the adult tutorial programs, staff development, and training needs, and the role of the public library in promoting adult literacy services. Data were gathered through a two-phase process begun in October 1993. A survey was…

In the United States, illiterate adults account for 20 percent of citizens over age 16. Yearly, 5 percent of these adults without a high school diploma are enrolled in Adult Basic Education (ABE) courses, which offer few appropriate counseling services. In order to study the counseling services available to ABE students in Maryland, on-site visits…

In an effort to better achieve the educational program objectives of developing specific salable skills, and developing skills leading to the General Education Development completion, 321 male and 23 female offenders enrolled in adult basic education, general education development, and vocational courses in Pennsylvania's eight State institutions…

The Appalachia Educational Laboratory (AEL) contracted with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to seek information on the presence, operation, and impact of adult learning programs within the 13-state Appalachian Region. Literacy was defined on a program operation base, possible programs were listed, and program descriptions were obtained…

A study examined a unique workplace literacy program designed for college preparation. Factors related to retention were studied in a group of paraprofessional health care workers who were attending the program as a step toward career advancement. The 153 participants were mainly women of minority backgrounds who spoke English fluently but not…

A study investigated the ways in which the provision for adult literacy in Northern Ireland has developed since 1975. Questionnaires were circulated to program organizers, tutors, and other personnel to determine (1) enrollment patterns, (2) program organization and the evolution toward "adult basic education," (3) personnel resources…

A study was conducted to determine to what extent community college-based adult basic education/general educational development (ABE/GED) programs reflect program characteristics addressed in the professional literature; to identify a general state of the art for the college delivery of ABE/GED services; and to understand better the current and…

The reported study attempted to determine for program planners the felt training needs of adult basic education (ABE) directors and teachers in Texas. The questionnaire (appended) was prepared at Texas A and M University and revised after review and field-testing. Of 1,900 questionnaires mailed, approximately half were completed and returned; the…