Throughout the history of the United States, adult education has played a continuous role in helping adults reach for better lives. In the early 20th century, as this country witnessed expanded growth and tremendous work opportunities, it became apparent that in order to have a productive workforce and economic stability, the language needs of so…

Pointing out the difficulties in passing from the industrial age to the information age, this paper discusses the advent of new technologies and worldwide recognition of the significant influence technology will have for education. Conferences resulting in development actions aimed at introducing new information technologies into education and…

Discusses seven stereotypical views concerning the history of federal involvement in elementary and secondary education. Examines federal intervention after World War II; origination of federal programs; the National Defense Education Act; basic skills education; federal aid to precollegiate education; federal pressure for desegregation; and…

In the light of recent initiatives, new questions have arisen regarding the federal role in literacy. Although federal adult literacy efforts have been ineffective, the link between literacy and the productivity of the work force may justify a stronger national investment in literacy. Among the major federally supported literacy programs are the…

This document records the oral and written testimony of witnesses at a Congressional hearing about the growing gap between the skills of workers in the United States and the requirements of the workplace and what private industry and government can do about the situation. Witnesses included Senators, Representatives, officials from the Department…

Pointing out the dilemmas facing educators today in preparing people for the future, this paper discusses the supply and demand nature of the job market and the growing need for better educational opportunities, and describes opportunities provided by the concept of the newly founded Electronic University. The importance of research is emphasized,…

The author focuses on some of the research needs for early adolescents (ages 10 to 15). It highlights areas in which federal policy concerns intersect with developmental research, and discusses six areas: social equity, basic skills, school discipline, parent participation, and school effectiveness. (Author/KC)

The hearings presented in this volume are composed of testimony about general trends that have implications for the future of all federal programs affecting elementary and secondary education. One of the focuses of the hearings is on demographic trends that have an impact on elementary and secondary education, particularly the question of…

The four papers in this series were commissioned for the first meeting of the National Commission on Adult Literacy, which met in Nashville on November 14, 2006. The first paper, "Adult Education and Literacy Legislation and Its Effects on the Field," provides the basic provisions of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA,…

Amendments to the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) require each service delivery area to develop an educational component as part of its Summer Youth Employment Program. The Summer Youth Employment Program enhances the basic educational skills of youth, encourages school completion for enrollment in supplementary or alternative school programs,…

A 1991 conference provided a forum where workplace educators could analyze their experience. Participants agreed that establishing a partnership between business or labor organizations and education providers was a key step in developing an effective workplace literacy program. Participants also saw the importance of curriculum development to…

Extensive public concern about the deficiency in basic skills confirmed by a decline in standardized test scores and widespread implementation of a variety of state and local improvement programs indicates an urgent need for national attention to this timely issue. However, a federal testing program or federally-imposed performance standards are…

Collected in this volume are the papers presented at the 1978 Chief State School Officers Summer Institute. The program was devoted to political issues in education and focused on a number of current educational problems. Political issues were discussed in relation to a number of areas, including federal education priorities, federal-state…

This document profiles 31 federal programs from which funding for adult literacy may be available. The document's three sections present descriptions of the following types of sources of funding and programs: (1) single pieces of legislation that contribute the major federal share of federal support for adult education in the United States; (2)…