The history of the college reading improvement program is traced and summarized from 1915 to 1970. The major factors which influenced and shaped the development during 5 decades are listed. During the period from 1920 to 1929, reading tests, tachistoscopes, workbooks, and eye cameras became readily available. From 1930 to 1939, the advent of…

Describes the Active Reading Techniques System (ACTS), developed at Ohio State University as an instructional system for use by tutors of adult learners. ACTS consists of five techniques, each of which are described separately: Language Experience Technique, Information Reading Technique, Life-Skills Technique, Context Clues Technique, and Silent…

Traces the progress of a beginning adult reader along the literacy continuum shown by child readers. Provides suggestions for teaching reading and writing to beginners which build on a learner's personal experiences and knowledge of language. (ARH)

Reports on a survey of adult literacy programs in the United States, focussing on the issues of student recruitment and retention. Suggests that personal sources are better than non-personal for recruitment, and that extrinsic motivation and a pleasant social environment are factors that can prevent attrition. (ARH)

Presents a critical review of the research on the effectiveness of adult literacy programs. Suggests that the methods used in current literacy programs offer students little chance of significant improvement. (ARH)

Thirty bibliographies of easy reading materials appropriate for adults are presented with full bibliographic information and a brief annotation. (SJ)

Because of lack of funds and the failure of the mass literacy campaign, the government of Indonesia has concentrated on the consolidation of literacy by organizing reading groups of neo-literates. Reading materials are obtained from all technical departments concerned with rural development. (EB)

Reading teachers, who are often drafted as English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instructors, need to redefine their approach to reading instruction. In the ESL curriculum reading is often secondary, and the teacher must take into account such considerations as ESL students' culture and literacy level in their native languages. (SK)

Provides an annotated bibliography of materials dealing with adult reading. (AEA)

Reports on the literacy rate among adults in India, especially the role of public libraries and special programs in improving that rate. (FM)

Describes a model reading program for the elderly. The program encourages the aged to revive dormant interests and explore new vistas as major prerequisites to personal fulfillment. The goal was to identify an instructional plan that motivates the elderly to seek intellectual, physical, or spiritual renewal through reading-related exercises.…

Research dealing with reading interests, habits, and problems of the older reader has been primarily a tangential result of surveys concerned with reading activities of the general population. The studies reviewed were selected to give an overview of existing research with suggestions for future investigation. (Author)

Readarama was established for a community retirement center in Athens, Georgia. The sessions were attended by healthy, active elderly women. Readarama points out the value of the reading group as an outlet for an already-established hobby and as a means of forming social contacts for the retiree. (Author)

Examines assumptions (such as "every adult can read to some extent" and "adult students will be well motivated") held by a veteran high school social studies teacher before he began teaching adults how to read. Discusses how some of the assumptions were valid, some invalid, and others partly valid. (RS)