Sub-Saharan African countries have realized that the biggest challenge facing their education system was not enrollment deficit as they were led to believe for many decades. Rather, it was the lack of appropriate technology that left them behind and widened the education gap between Western and African countries. In Senegal, much progress has been…

A collaborative project of an Australian university, elementary school, and older adult volunteers incorporated lifespan education in grades 2-4. Five elements enhanced sustainability: contextual monitoring, working with change, lifespan curriculum, changing demographics, and funding. Potential hindrances were time, an overcrowded curriculum, and…

Summarizes results for parents of the original evaluation and the follow-up of Family Literacy Demonstration Programmes at four sites in Wales and England. Finds that parents benefited in employment, study, qualifications, literacy, and ability to help their children, and involvement with their children's schools. (RS)

Pre/posttest results from 282 elementary students who interacted with older adults and observations by teachers and elders revealed changes in attitudes and awareness about aging. In stage 2, preservice teachers and older adults worked together in elementary schools. A model for sustainable lifespan curriculum involving elementary schools, teacher…

A British adult education center successfully offered foreign language instruction to children and adults together. Lessons learned from the experience include limiting attendance to 1 child per adult, targeting children aged 9-10, and extending the course to 20-25 weeks. (SK)

In a Canadian program, adult volunteer mentors meet with elementary student mentees for an hour each week during school. An evaluation of five such school-based mentoring programs found that mentored students developed a more positive attitude towards school, achieved higher grades, and improved relationships with adults and peers. Mentors report…

Maintains that senior citizens and children are at opposite ends of the time line, but have common needs. Contends that intergenerational music programs provide benefits to both. Describes a successful intergenerational program involving elementary-age choral groups and senior citizen groups. (CFR)

The six articles in this issue attempt to answer questions that have arisen due to the increase in programs that cross existing or traditional age barriers in literacy education. They draw upon recent and current research and practice both in the United Kingdom and the United States. "Family Literacy: An Intergenerational Approach to…

This paper focuses on a British Council funded Higher Education Link project involving three institutions--Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) in the UK and two South African institutions, the University of South Africa (UNISA) and Rhodes University. The link is a research and development project that has three main research strands:…

For 2 decades, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has sought to strengthen Nepal's formal and nonformal education systems and elevate the status of women in Nepal. The extent to which USAID women's empowerment and literacy activities have contributed to increasing and improving the basic education of girls in Nepal was examined…