Controversy over national testing programs for basic skills in Australia's elementary schools is discussed. The alternative suggested is to use those resources to improve local methods and skills in student assessment, depending more on the interest and abilities of those directly concerned with the students' learning. (MSE)

The Department of Education's Secondary School Recognition Program (SSRP) was developed to identify and recognize unusually effective public secondary schools and, through publicity and other means, encourage the emulation of their successful programs, policies, and practices by practitioners in other schools. This directory describes a small…

The issue of illiteracy in the workplace and the implications for restructuring, multiskilling, and training are discussed. Findings of a national survey, Literacy for Productivity: A Study of Adult Literacy in the Workplace, are also reported. A response supports the argument for implementation of literacy programs. (Contains five references.)…

Issues raised in the World Bank's Education Sector Working Paper are examined within the framework of other recent policy papers of donor agencies. (MM)

A study determined the economic impact of each dollar invested in Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. (LVA). The analysis included 217 interviews, 165 in New York and 52 in Wisconsin; analysis of economic impact; and statistical validation and analysis. For every dollar spent by LVA, the value created (return) to the overall economy was a…

Uganda's education system was damaged and retarded by the military regime of the 1970's. About 50 percent of the primary school age children go to school and of these only 20 percent manage to proceed to secondary school. The ultimate number that manage to gain admission to the single university is 0.8 percent of these. Curriculum provides for an…

These papers, presented at the 1981 World Assembly of the International Council of Education for Teaching, describe the methods and status of teacher education programs in the United States, Australia, Ireland, and Malaysia. The first paper, "The Preparation of Educational Personnel for Basic Education," by Robert L. Egbert, introduces the…

In January of 1987, a planning conference was convened by the Center for Education Statistics as part of an effort to study the feasibility of various approaches to the nationwide assessment of children's readiness for instruction in kindergarten and first grade. This report provides, in an appendix, the texts of the four commissioned papers…

These papers, delivered at the 1981 World Assembly of the International Council on Education for Teaching, reflect the theme of the conference: provision of basic education for all persons, focusing particularly on policies and situations in developing nations. The 14 presentations were from nine nations: (1) "Curriculum Materials for Basic…

Three aspects of the match between education and the demands of our changing economic situation are examined. First, the skills students will need for the future are identified. These skills included competencies in reading, writing, speaking and listening, mathematics, science, reasoning, basic employment, economics, and computer literacy.…

Three papers on the Egyptian educational system were delivered at the World Assembly of the International Council of Education for Teaching in Cairo, Egypt, in 1981. The first paper, "Recent Educational Reforms in Egypt," by M. M. Radwan, describes the changes in Egyptian education since 1952, including the adoption of universal basic…

Award restructure poses questions about appropriate response to the retraining and education needs of workers in Australia who have literacy difficulties. The following actions should be taken: (1) the government should fund a research project that will evaluate workplace efficiency outcomes for employers who have participated in the Workplace…

Describes national and state competency assessment programs and presents suggestions for outlining basic competencies in social studies. Contends that social studies goes beyond basic skills, and that competencies should be self-serving as well as complementary to other subject areas. Notes the responsibility of social studies in promoting social…

The eradication of illiteracy in Russia has a lengthy history but a systematic literacy campaign began only after the revolution of 1917. The literacy problem was considered to be solved two decades later. Success was due to the following factors: (1) illiterate people were eager to learn; (2) the eradication of illiteracy and preparation for…

This brief describes 14 national technical assistance organizations for work force and workplace literacy. Descriptions contain these types of information: specific areas of expertise, experience, or specialization; types of organizations with which it has worked; types of programs or services offered; geographic areas served; and clients. The…