This guide describes a model for a community-based literacy program for older adults that uses older adults as tutors. Guidelines are provided to program sponsors for implementing literacy education for older adults. Chapter I provides an overview of the problem of illiterate older adults and literacy education for them. Chapter II addresses the…

Adult illiteracy is a complex, costly, and growing social problem. Three common areas of controversy related to the problem are: (1) definitions of adult literacy, (2) characteristics of illiterate adults, and (3) the purposes of literacy education. Illiteracy can be understood only in relation to a culture's definition of literacy. Due to…

Description of the California Literacy Campaign instituted by California State Library highlights statewide commitment to provide public library services to help adults attain English-language ability and local projects. Examples of several projects (e.g., Modoc County Adult Tutorial Program, Tri-City Literacy Coalition), and community-based…

Media reports suggest widespread illiteracy among adults who may not be able to read, write, speak, or otherwise communicate competently enough to meet the demands of modern society. No consensus has been reached regarding a definition of illiteracy or supporting statistics. Estimates of adult illiteracy range form 0.5% to 50%, meaning that of the…

This annual report of the National Advisory Council on Adult Education highlights the activities undertaken by the Council during Fiscal Year 1987. These activities included the following: (1) co-sponsorship with the University of Pennsylvania of a symposium, "Towards Defining Literacy" (an overview of the work of the symposium is…

Four adult education programs serving homeless persons in Wisconsin were evaluated. Data were gathered through site visits, a review of program documents, and a survey of 43 homeless individuals served by the programs (7 percent of the total population served). Participants expressed very positive feelings about the programs. Many reported that…

This packet of materials was created to help literacy professionals, social agencies, volunteers, and media representatives promote literacy efforts in Michigan, especially during Literacy Action Month (September). The materials can be used to support literacy in the community, in democracy, in the family, and in economic development. Items…

A study was conducted to provide a preliminary overview of what is known about how adult education programs work and to identify issues that should be addressed in future nationally representative studies. Data were gathered through a literature review, informal interviews with state adult education directors in eight states serving a large number…

Developmental procedures, background information, alternatives, and results of four demonstration community education programs established by the Appalachian Adult Education Center are presented in the document. Community educational programs sponsored by the Appalachian Adult Education Center, its educational objectives, and a discussion of the…

The status of Adult Education programs is discussed in this speech by the Superintendent of Schools in Amsterdam, New York. A state-wide curriculum is proposed which includes evening high school, vocational-occupational programs, civic programs, job retraining, and recreational programs. The need for involving the community in continuing education…

This report examines a joint project of the University of Massachusetts and the Ecuador Ministry of Education which used puppet and "campesino" (folk) theater as a creative form for the presentation of numeracy and literacy programs and for introducing social consciousness concepts. It focuses on the use of the puppet theater 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…

This national reference manual identifies exemplary local community education projects and highlights the status of statewide community education initiatives and support networks. Information for the directory was gathered through the Community Education Network and National Community Education Association. Preliminary information in the directory…

For the past 18 years, Federal policy for adult literacy has been contained principally in the Adult Education Act of 1966 and in the administration of the program it supports. When this Act was passed, few programs for adult literacy existed in the states; thus, the Act authorized 90 percent Federal funding in order to encourage states to develop…

The purposes of this study were to survey the regional community served by Pensacola Junior College, to determine the number and location of adults over 25 years of age who have not completed the eighth grade, to determine how much education is already being provided for these adults, and to make recommendations concerning the educational needs…