We must know more about adult education, why people enroll, who they are, and what they expect; we must develop new and better techniques for serving them; and we must define the role of government. Some have proposed a National Center for Lifelong Learning, which could interpret data on adult education and serve as the instrument in developing a network of communications among adult education programs. It could work jointly with the Office of Education to develop data collection requirements. Local Lifelong Learning councils could provide opportunities for adults to join in local task-centered activities seeking solutions to community and human problems. This system might become the central ingredient in the reform of education at all levels. (se)