Examines the relations among phonological awareness, short-term memory, orthographic ability, contextual information, and reading skill in a study of 60 functionally illiterate adults enrolled in Adult Basic Education programs and a group of elementary-school children. Concludes that adults seem to be relying less on phonological decoding, which…

Narratives of three women experiencing crisis suggest the following: (1) crisis context presents conditions incompatible with transformational education; (2) adult basic education's structure of mastery or absolute knowledge is an obstacle; and (3) the fragmented self is a more appropriate organizational structure for the concept of meaning…

Presents four strategies for exploring beginning adult readers' perceptions about reading and their abilities: (1) giving intake interviews; (2) using the Directed Listening-Thinking Activity; (3) analyzing adult's retelling; and (4) dictation by the student. Advocates use of Jane Davidson's "Holistic Reading and Writing Assessment for…

Compares two approaches to teaching reading to adults: the eclectic, research-based method of Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) and the phonics-based Laubach Literacy International. Concludes that LVA has the advantages of adaptability to student differences, a thorough evaluation system, and a superior published reading series. (SK)

In a Cleveland (Ohio) program, writing instruction for adults who speak nonstandard English is based on respect for students' spoken language as a dialect. Adapting foreign language instructional techniques such as translation, teachers avoided formal grammar terms and used extensive oral practice. (SK)

At least 20 percent of the Somalian population are refugees, many from Ethiopia. The Refugee Adult Education Unit has a preliteracy phase, offering health and agricultural instruction; a basic literacy phase, teaching reading and writing; and a postliteracy/continuing education phase, enabling skill retention and reinforcement. (SK)

Structured interviews with a random sample of adult basic education students in Iowa (N=323) and an academic ability test administered to a 50 percent subsample identified reasons for participation. Factor analysis revealed 10 motivational dimensions, and cluster analysis categorized 6 subgroups: mainstream women, the urged, young adults, the…

Resistance to schooling of characters in 10 works of fiction was analyzed and findings applied to traditional literacy/adult basic education (ABE) programs. The results suggest that resistance occurs when values clash. Since ABE programs tend to reproduce the values of the dominant culture, they contribute to the resistance of those outside the…

Steps in developing a workplace literacy partnership include (1) creating community awareness; (2) developing organizational readiness; (3) analyzing organizational needs, climate, and resources; (4) negotiating program content, structure, participation, and schedule; (5) setting goals and objectives and planning instruction; and (6) implementing…

Discusses (1) literacy and the related concepts of functional literacy and illiteracy; (2) what is meant by computer technology for literacy instruction; (3) advantages and disadvantages of computer-based literacy instruction; and (4) today's efforts and tomorrow's expectations. (RS)

Considers the use of PLATO in student assessment and placement, individualization of instruction, and curriculum evaluation at the City Colleges of Chicago. Focuses on the use of the PLATO-based versions of the Test for Adult Basic Education and the Mathematics Association of America test. (DMM)

Critiques demeaning attitudes toward adult literacy learners implicit in the practices of major literacy programs and examines underlying assumptions about the nature of literacy in light of recent studies. Argues that literacy professionals must confront political and institutional barriers to effective literacy education and offers an…

Rebuts Cameron and Heckman's conclusion that the General Educational Development (GED) Test is too easy and irrelevant to employers by arguing that their sample was unrepresentative, credible evidence of ease is lacking, and there is no evidence that traditional high school curricula meet employers' needs. Also presents noneconomic and other…

A study of two adult basic education centers compared 17 reluctant learners (early dropouts) with 20 persisters and found that, although reluctant learners value education, they have negative attitudes and experiences of schooling and drop out because of dissatisfaction with the lack of challenge and attention they receive. (SK)

Discusses the traditional role of the university in relation to promotion of universal literacy. Describes some developments in university involvement in adult basic education in the United Kingdom. Argues that universities must support a lifelong learning approach, new access routes for adult students, and collaborative models of research and…