Outlines optimistic and pessimistic views regarding the future nature of paid work. Discusses how trust (or social capital) is the missing link that forges connections between the economy, community, and economic markets. Discusses human and social capital as they relate to literacy and to employment. Offers reflections on these topics from people…

Examines literacy and work in a high-performance workplace: a factory in South Africa. Conducts the study where workers have secure jobs and are part of a globalised enterprise with a declared policy of empowering workers. Shows that the employees commonly experience their workplace as a highly stressful environment where new learning and…

Interviews of adult literacy learners were compared with depictions of learners as consumers in textbooks. Texts focused on learners' deficits and lack of knowledge, whereas learners viewed themselves as competent, capable consumers despite limited academic skills and income. (Contains 40 references.) (SK)

Describes a literacy program for adults with learning disabilities that consists of five modules: basic reading, spelling, writing; intermediate comprehension and vocabulary; comprehension and interpretation; intermediate writing; and intermediate spelling. Discuses screening, placement, core curriculum, multisensory and discovery learning, and…

Considers how a spiritual connection across age differences affects literacy education. Notes that the Bible is foremost among the texts adult basic literacy students want to read. Claims that being students of stories of faith and religion does not mean that educators become proselytizers or that they ignore the difference between public and…

The "Work First" environment demands the following tasks of literacy practitioners: designing programs for clients' specific needs; fostering collaborative relationships with agencies and employers; focusing on comprehensive outcomes; planning holistic curricula integrated with work, family, and community contexts; and providing continuous staff…

Using information and communications technology (ICT) with adult literacy and numeracy learners (open/flexible learning, Internet, electronic mail) enables adult learners to gain ICT skills that are increasingly necessary for employability and further education. (JOW)

Reviews evidence regarding the content, standards, and use validity of the International Adult Literacy Survey's performance scales and self-assessment scales. Concludes that there are serious questions about the performance scales and that self-assessment data may help identify adults who believe they have poor literacy skills. Suggests that…

Judging by their literacy proficiency scores, Nordic countries stand out from others. Their consistently high scores are intriguing and make their populations interesting benchmarks for other countries that participated in the International Adult Literacy Survey. This article addresses the question of whether there are any specific…

Innovative policies and practices in mainstreaming adult education on the basis of UNESCO's model of Education for All (EFA) among member states take different forms. In Nigeria, EFA has been conceptualised as the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme. UBE has dominated some of the major political options that governments have had to make in…

"Focus on Basics" is the quarterly publication of the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy. It presents best practices, current research on adult learning and literacy, and how research is used by adult basic education teachers, counselors, program administrators, and policymakers. "Focus on Basics" is…

This bibliography was compiled for the 2006 Summer Institute at The Centre for Literacy-"Accountability and Public Trust: Restoring the Balance." The selections include lectures, research studies, policy papers, and government documents that describe and analyze recent concepts of accountability in the context of government funding in…

To serve adults with disabilities without a high school diploma, the federal government and states have funded adult education and literacy programs that provide services to accommodate the needs of those adults. In addition, the Tests of General Educational Development (GED Tests) provide adults with disabilities with testing accommodations to…

This publication contains a series of sessions developed and used by Newcastle City Council Family Learning Service and now published to share practice. The sessions were developed specifically to support "Skills for Life" tutors to deliver the adult literacy and numeracy curricula but can also be used by other practitioners. There are…

In this paper, the author would like to put forward a number of issues to think about and discuss. At the same time, she argues for a better articulated system that more closely matches the needs and goals of various subgroups of English language learners. Adult ESL programs serve diverse immigrant populations with different needs and goals. A…