This report considers the basic skills levels of adults in Kansas, the provision of basic skills training by public and private agencies, and policy options for improving the basic skills of Kansas's workforce. Following a detailed executive report, chapter 1 reviews the workforce challenge, economic and technological changes, and shifts in management styles and in the Kansas workforce. Chapter 2 focuses on the evolution of basic skills terminology and measures, the extent of the basic skills deficiency problem, dropouts in the state, skill deficiencies among individuals with a high school diploma or General Educational Development diploma, and the consequences of inadequate basic skills. Chapter 3 examines federal and state support for adult basic education (ABE), discusses the workings of and key players in Kansas's literacy programs, and presents a comparison of ABE efforts in Kansas with national norms. Chapters 4 contains results of a survey of basic academic skills (BAS) providers, examining skills taught, format and materials used, and evaluation methods. Chapter 5 details results of a survey of the ABE activities of Kansas businesses, examining the content of BAS training provided, providers and training methods utilized, and money spent on BAS instruction. Finally, chapter 6 presents a series of policy considerations. Appendixes include information on innovative ABE programs in Kansas and in other states; barriers to delivery of BAS instruction; ABE teaching models; methods used to market BAS programs; and the survey instruments. (PAA)