Reports on a survey of Native Canadian adults (with limited reading skills but not currently in adult programs) about their perceptions of literacy. Discusses (1) purposes and values of literacy; (2) types of goals; (3) past barriers; (4) preferred learning environment (they preferred "watch then do" learning); and (5) current barriers.…

Offers (1) a teaching strategy using contemporary music themes to increase adolescents' confidence and reading fluency; and (2) a brief description of four literacy programs from around the world which were UNESCO prize winners. (SR)

The issue of illiteracy in the workplace and the implications for restructuring, multiskilling, and training are discussed. Findings of a national survey, Literacy for Productivity: A Study of Adult Literacy in the Workplace, are also reported. A response supports the argument for implementation of literacy programs. (Contains five references.)…

A research study on the use of technology on Australian literacy programs for adults is reported. Questions were directed to administrators (e.g., objectives, outcomes) teachers (e.g., appropriateness, flexibility, portability), and adult learners (e.g., expectations, needs, feedback). The resulting rating scales were used for specific…

Misconceptions within Australian Technical and Further Education (TAFE) about Plain English (PE) are that PE involves sentence-by-sentence translation and simplification of the language and content of an existing text. Both misconceptions are refuted and PE is concluded to be basically about good communication. (Contains 12 references.) (LB)

A study of six women in an Australia literacy program at the Springvale Community Health Centre suggests that there are dangers in defining literacy needs in terms of economic productivity. Issues of self-worth and social support are also addressed. (Contains 19 references.) (LB)

Characterized the literacy skills of 402 randomly selected adult Medicaid enrollees to determine whether there was an association between literacy skills and health care costs. Each participant's health-care costs were reviewed, and their literacy skills were measured. Results show no significant relationship between literacy and health-care…

A framework for a competency rating scale combines types of literacy (reading, writing, numeracy, and document processing) and literacy levels (basic and required). Indicators of the competencies derived from individual behavior show whether the competency is fully established, just developing, or absent. (SK)

Discusses the adult illiteracy problem in the United States. Describes the Reading Recovery Program and a similar reading program at Georgia Southwestern College which place teacher education students with first graders to serve as reading pals. (MG)

"In Quest of the Quick Fix: Staff Development in the 'National Literacy Training Act'" (Quigley) argues that professional development programs must consider "literacy for what?""Foundations for Adult Learning and Development Policy" (Craig) evaluates a policy document of the Alberta Advanced Education Ministry. (SK)

The relationship between U.S. national policies on literacy, available literacy programs, and individual lives is examined. A discussion of the pressures to become literate in English is followed by an analysis of language use in immigrant families and the effect of native language loss. Recommendations regarding the plurality of literacies are…

The role of teachers, teacher educators, researchers, program planners, and advocates in the somewhat unfocused field of adult literacy is discussed. They are invited to focus on three directions: shifting focus to families and communities, knowledge development, and multilevel collaboration. (Contains 10 references.) (LB)

Describes and analyzes how an Urban Appalachian woman who could not read or write progressed to functional levels when instruction involved her in reading her own language. Argues that educators who failed to acknowledge her language as an integral aspect of her as a learner may have denied her previous access to literacy. (SR)

Considers the meaning of professionalization for adult-literacy education. Surveys a group of practitioners, concluding that a credential could enhance the quality of adult-literacy instruction but that providing credentials is inextricably bound up with the issue of funding. Describes initiatives underway in four states, providing examples of how…

Describes programs at the Toronto Public Library that teach Internet skills to adult learners, including English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classes and undereducated adults. Highlights include a sample lesson plan; experiences with adult-literacy classes; expanding Internet training; and Web sites for ESL and adult-literacy classes. (LRW)