Research can provide insights into problems related to adult basic education (ABE) program success. The potential ABE population is great; for example, the Maryland target group includes nearly 1,097,000. Several studies have revealed that those needing ABE most are least likely to be program participants. Various problems that often overwhelm the poor are unemployment, marital instability, and low self-esteem. In addition, other learning involvement barriers include costs, insufficient motivation, time factors, and discouragement. It is important to evercome these obstacles. One way is by providing relevant programs. Norvell Northcutt and Deborah Hickok have identified cogent (1) literacy program content areas (consumer economics, occupational knowledge, community resources, health, and government/law) and (2) primary skills (communication, computation, problem solving, and interpersonal relations). Various appeals to learners have been identified; for instance, Allen Tough's research suggests that adults are interested in learning something of immediate use. In addition, Patrick Penland found that adults like to set their own pace; Nan Booth found that low-income urban adults prefer the trial-and-error learning method. Daniel D. Pratt identified five important learning environment factors: developing adult-to-adult working relationships, developing mutual understanding, dealing with closure, establishing role clarity, and guarding the contract. Finally, in surveying where adults like to learn, several studies have discovered that adults prefer learning at home. (CSS)