The Adult Education for the Homeless programs implemented by the states followed one of four approaches. The Development/Capacity-Building approach emphasized program structure and model-building. The Urban Focus approach was tailored to reach the maximum number of students. The Services to Women approach tried to meet women's special needs. A…

Although the emphasis on adult literacy/basic education is increasing, the high dropout rate from programs in these areas is a concern. Why learners choose to participate or not to participate in such programs can be understood in terms of three sets of factors. Learner-inherent factors include self-evaluation, goals, and capabilities. Life…

The 1988-89 Highlands Educational Literacy Project (HELP) in southwest Virginia was initially designed to provide local volunteer tutors with intensive training in the Laubach one-to-one method of teaching reading. HELP was a cooperative effort of community service agencies, church and civic groups, and interested individuals to provide free…

Based on the experiences of a literacy center in Texas, this handbook is intended to assist adult educators in developing a similar program in their community. The purpose of the literacy referral system is to provide educationally and economically disadvantaged adults with an individualized educational and employment plan based on an assessment…

Project LEIF (Learning English through Intergenerational Friendship) is a program begun in 1985 in which an intergenerational core of tutors was trained to teach English to refugees in the Philadelphia area. The program has since expanded and been replicated in four other cities. This manual is intended to help those individuals or groups…

The first of two papers that comprise this document introduces Australia's response to 1990 as the United Nations (UN) International Literacy Year (ILY). The second paper sets policy directions for Australia's Literacy Year program. The first paper contains the six UN objectives for the year (to increase government action to combat illiteracy,…

The Bethlehem Area Chamber of Commerce, using a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, developed a model program to demonstrate the effectiveness of a business-based network to improve the literacy level of the local work force. The project involved increasing business member awareness of literacy needs, creating linkages among…

The Manitoba Task Force on Literacy conducted public hearings to determine the root causes of illiteracy in the province and to make recommendations for programs to help adults become literate. The Task Force was especially solicitous of the opinions of learners--illiterate people who are now participating in literacy education programs. Some of…

This resource book is intended to assist colleges and universities in developing literacy action programs to serve their communities. The following topics are covered: definitions of literacy and types of learners and programs; steps in starting a program (planning, first steps, and first meetings); guidelines for working with learners, community…

Although Michigan has one of the best trained work forces in the nation, the skill gap between what the marketplace needs and what its workers can offer is continuing to widen. Michigan must develop an adult training and education system that is customer driven and customer sensitive, emphasizes shared responsibility of stakeholders, empowers…

The Volunteers for Refugee Self-Sufficiency (V-FoRSS) uses volunteers to meet the self-sufficiency needs of the refugee community in Phoenix, Arizona. The majority of the volunteers with V-FoRSS are home outreach tutors who provide English as a second language (ESL) and social adjustment skills instruction to adult Indochinese refugees. Classes…

This report expands upon a policy resolution passed unanimously at the 53rd Annual Conference of Mayors in 1985. The first part of the report, a policy statement, points out the magnitude of the adult illiteracy problem and of some of the issues involved, and briefly indicates how various segments of society can contribute to a solution. The…

Project WE CARE (Workers' Education and Community Awareness of Resources for Education), in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, developed, implemented, and documented the process of implementing adult basic education program linkage/outreach with business, industry, and human service organizations. The project emphasis was on educating human service…

This training manual is designed to help English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers and supervisors successfully develop a workplace ESOL class. Four modules include: (1) "Knowing and Presenting Your Adult Education Program to Business and Industry" (e.g., introduction to Tennessee's Workplace ESOL Initiative, the four-step…

Developed by Laubach Literacy Action (LLA), this book is designed to help literacy programs develop professionalism, improve program quality, and operate their programs like businesses. Based on LLA's National Quality Standards for Volunteer Literacy Programs and the premise that tutoring services are enhanced by efficient program management and…