Identifying the real needs of the disadvantaged is one of the major problems facing program developers. The article describes the rethinking and radical changes that were needed to make a program for the disadvantaged in Montreal more effective. (Author)

The article examines the role of literacy training and adult basic education in alleviating the socio-economic problems of the disadvantaged adult. (MW)

A volunteer scheme in Bradford, England was set up to serve the needs of illiterates and semi-literates who couldn't attend a class. The service provided a confidential, free of charge, one-to-one, tutorial relationship in either the tutor's or client's home. (MW)

This manual is designed to serve as a step-by-step guide for managers of volunteer adult literacy sites. It discusses day-to-day responsibilities, suggests procedures, and provides forms and directions for their use. The guide is organized in four sections. Following information on the guide and background information on literacy education in…

These curriculum materials were collected from teachers in the Lehman College Adult Learning Center (New York). They include various activities and resources, such as a series of questions about the aims of teaching adults, a list of sources for adult basic education (ABE) materials, poems, and autobiographical materials. Teaching suggestions and…

This pilot study assessed the educational interests and needs of a group of older, low-literate adults with the eventual goal of developing computer-assisted literacy programs specifically designed for older adults. Subjects, 10 women and 1 man aged 60 to over 80 years who were members of a center for older adults and who were already working with…

This discussion document provides detailed guidance on the resources needed to provide high quality learning opportunities for adults who want to improve basic communication skills. Background material is provided on the size of the literacy problem, the response of educators, the level of resources allocated for adult literacy and basic skills,…

This critical issues paper presents information on the young people served by the New York City Adult Literacy Initiative. It profiles the youngest students, ages 16-24, who were served by the Initiative in the program year 1987-88. Since more than 95 percent of youth enrolled in literacy classes were enrolled in Basic Education and English for…

The personnel director of a local industry requested reading help from Central Missouri State University for several employees. After several meetings, a workplace literacy program that used the whole language approach supplemented by direct instruction in word recognition skills was developed. Two types of tests were written. One, a vocabulary…

This report presents findings of an evaluation of Australia's Adult Literacy Action Campaign (ALAC) to determine whether ALAC was promoting the development of communication, literacy, and numeracy skills and skills to facilitate greater and enriched participation in society. Chapter 1 sets out the methodology and approach, which included a…

This manual introduces the topic of family literacy programs in libraries and provides guidelines for libraries that are just getting started in family literacy programs as well as libraries that are further developing their existing programs. It is argued that illiteracy tends to be both intergenerational and cyclic, i.e., if a child's parents…

This guide to the development of reading and reading-related materials for newly literate individuals is designed for use in developing nations in the Asian Pacific region with relatively large neo-literate populations who may have little opportunity to practice and improve literacy skills. The guide consists of three sections. The first section…

These 13 short stories were written specifically for new adult readers. Each story is narrated by a fictional character from Appalachia. The words are relatively simple and the texts are printed in large-print type. The book, produced for Kentucky literacy programs, has "choices" as its theme. Each story deals with an important decision…