This report summarizes a series of national forums on adult education and literacy sponsored by the Office of Vocational and Adult Education. The first part contains profiles of the four national forums in Seattle, Washington; St. Louis, Missouri; Charleston, South Carolina; and Newark, New Jersey. Each profile consists of brief descriptions of the following: a site visit to a local adult education program site; an informal meeting with a small group of state directors of adult education and administrators of local programs; and the public hearing, at which a total of 180 state administrators, local practitioners, students, public officials, volunteers, community leaders, and representatives from business, labor, and community organizations shared their views or submitted written testimony. The second part summarizes testimony presented during the four formal public hearings. The information is presented in a series of six broad topical areas, each concerned with the challenges of expanding the capacity and improving the quality of service provided by the adult education and literacy delivery system: coordination, program effectiveness, professional development, a diverse provider network, funding, and special needs populations. Whenever possible, the actual words of hearing participants have been used to provide clarity and focus to concerns expressed. At the end of each topical area, one or more recommendations are highlighted. Appendixes include lists of testifiers, testifiers by type of organization, federal hearing officials, and site visit contacts. (YLB)