A third-party national evaluation of the basic grants section of the Adult Education Act was conducted in September 1990. Although clients eligible for adult secondary education (ASE) constituted the largest segment of the target population, enrollments were highest in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) programs and most programs primarily served clients enrolled in adult basic education (ABE). Federal funds accounted for less than one-third of funds supporting adult education programs. ASE, ABE, and ESL participants received a median of 28, 35, and 113 hours of instruction, respectively. Except for ESL, no direct relationship existed between total hours of instruction and test score gains. Approximately one-third of participants reported employment-related benefits from program participation. Nearly half of those who started the program left for reasons external to the program. The program was not keeping up with the growth of its target population. The following actions were recommended: ensure that all programs have at least some full-time instructional and administrative staff, increase provision of support services, and identify and encourage use of the most appropriate instructional structures/designs. (Twenty-nine tables/figures are included. Appended are a table detailing the study objectives and reports where they are addressed and tables of contents of the major study reports.) (MN)