Adult literacy students (n=344) read, retold, and answered questions about two narrative and/or expository passages. Miscue analysis revealed few differences across nine reading levels. Results of the three tasks indicate adults at all stages of literacy development make effective use of their knowledge as they read. An integrated, spiral…

Examines ways in which the evaluative criteria of literacy education are being displaced by those with a work force development focus. Illustrates the consequences of criterion bleed: the concept of basic skills is being shifted from a means of democratic participation to a tool for employment. Urges adult literacy educators to adopt a critical…

Examines a model of professional development including preprofessional, autonomous, collegial, and postprofessional phases. Addresses the importance of reflective practice in moving from autonomous to collegial. Suggests the potential for computer-mediated communication to promote reflective dialogue. (Contains 30 references.) (SK)

Describes the phenomenon of the writing workshop as it developed in the early days of the British adult literacy campaign. Discusses the history of the workshops, how a writing event works, organizational concerns, educational implications, and contrasts with other methods of teaching adult literacy. (RS)

Presents nine learning activities on polysyllabic words, letting go of control of other people's learning, setting a baseline for language-minority students, word banks for adult literacy, student journals in the workplace ESL classroom, effective definitions for word learning, "Readers Areas" in public places, and students writing to athletes.…

Presents the Pennsylvania State Coalition for Adult Literacy as a model for understanding state and local literacy coalitions. Cites elements of success in coalition building: trust, a sense of mission, strong leadership, and clear identification of the target populations of each member agency. (SK)

The Iraqi National Literacy Campaign is described. Early efforts and reform actions taken since 1968 by the Baath Socialist Party are covered. Special attention is given to administrative structures involved. Reasons for the relative success of the program are highlighted. (TJH)

The Small Group Learning Methodology Project in Australia demonstrated the powerful effect of group membership upon adult literacy. Group learning was facilitated by shared purpose, satisfaction of needs through interdependence, individual growth through group goals, and use of both whole group and one-to-one interaction. (SK)

An analysis is provided of the belief that theories developed about literacy within different academic disciplines and development campaigns have been built around contradictory assumptions. The conclusion is made that research is needed in order to make literacy instruction more functional in adult literacy programs. (109 references) (GLR)

Discusses the need for balance in the research and evaluation of adult beginning readers in seven areas: program success and failure, problem definition versus adult competence, reminiscence versus current requirements, call to action versus knowledge, sociological and instructional diagnosis, assumption versus honest appraisal, and reporting on…

Compares and contrasts the goals and methods of community-oriented and individually oriented adult literacy programs to identify the ideological and methodological stances within each. Points out limitations of the distinction between the two and suggests ways that literacy educators can move beyond these limitations. (JOW)

Investigates factors in the development and implementation of two national literacy campaigns in the early 1970s, conducted by the British Broadcasting Corporation and the British Association of Settlements. Identifies the influence upon adult literacy today of issues arising in the campaigns: definition of literacy, arbitrary estimates of…

Describes a Chicago, IL, family literacy program that offers simultaneous and connected education for Latino adults and children. Discusses how the Parents as Teachers and ESL parts of the program are connected; how to construct a family literacy curriculum; what language should be used for family literacy instruction; and what happens in a…

In a series of workshops, a women's writing group published books with sophisticated design and graphics aimed at an audience beyond the group itself. The value was not in publishing per se, but in learning, confidence, achievement of educational objectives, and relationships generated with the wider community. (SK)

Two popular education projects--El Refugio de Los Angeles for Latino immigrants and native popular education in Buenos Aires--demonstrate how, while developing literacy skills, participants engaged in political and social analysis of their living conditions. (SK)