Singapore students scored highest on the Third International Mathematics and Science Study. Any nation that "outsources" its poverty (Malaysian street sweepers) and its low-achievers (who study in Malaysia) can get high test scores. U.S./Japan score differences stem from Japan's effective teaching practices. Among 13 occupations in the…

Discusses the role of the public library in adult lifelong learning and literacy programs in light of federal legislation. Topics include funding issues; the librarian's role in fostering attitudes of creation and recreation; and the role of education for librarianship in preparing graduates for work with adult lifelong learners. (Contains 49…

Transcribes an interview with Ira E. Aaron, who discusses how he moved from journalism to reading education, the changes he would like to make in doctoral programs in reading, the preparation of reading teachers, the importance of children's literature, and the misplaced emphasis on research and publication over teaching. (RS)

Illustrates how a Malian adult literacy project linked to economic development activities was shaped by village realities: prior emergence of a literate ideology in the village, villagers' entrepreneurial aspirations and beliefs about literacy's consequences, and class organization paralleling traditional male age-associations. Contains 12…

Discusses illiterate and semiliterate adults who want to become literate to enjoy a more satisfactory quality of life. Describes their life experiences and provides examples of effective instruction methods based on the language experience approach, including dictation, word banks, journal writing, individualized and assisted reading, and…

Presents a portrait of adult literacy in Illinois based on the results of the State Adult Literacy Survey conducted in 1992 as part of the National Adult Literacy Survey. Highlights include age differences; foreign-born individuals; effects of education and training; employment, economic status, and civic responsibility; and language use.…

Describes practical questioning strategies for use in adult literacy classrooms where teachers attempt to balance the daily needs of literacy learning with the broader issue of education for social change. Also discussed is a study of one such classroom and its implications for adult literacy teacher education. (15 references) (MDM)

Includes "Staff Development for Educators Working with Black Communities" (Lewis, Murray); "The Changing Scene in Wales" (Poole); "Staff Development in Open College Networks" (Mager); "Staff Development in the Provision of Adult Literacy and Basic Skills" (Wells); and "European Aspects" (Oglesby).…

A diverse group of 27 adults completed 100 hours of computer-assisted reading instruction. Reading gains ranged from 0.4-7.5 grade levels and were greatest for subjects with a minimum pretest second grade reading level. Participants indicated the importance of skilled and empathic support from staff. (SV)

Examines literacy education in Iran, including educational objectives, content, student characteristics, teacher selection, textbooks, and obstacles to success. Concludes that Iranian literacy education is limited to reading, writing, and arithmetic, with no additional training aimed at functional literacy; and serves principally as a…

Examines adults in postliteracy programs in Northern Tanzania, focusing on reading and writing abilities after five years of training; the role of radio, rural newspapers, and libraries in literacy; and adults' interest in postliteracy materials. Points to the continuing importance of the oral tradition and lack of adequate reading material as…

Describes a basic literacy program developed by the Spanish Women's Institute to lower the number of illiterate women in Spain and encourage women lacking basic educational skills to participate in the existing educational system. Explains the program's "New Approach" teaching materials, which teach women to read and write while…

The Even Start project in the Poudre (Colorado) School District involves a learning center where parents receive literacy instruction and are trained to become partners in their children's education. The program features separate parent and child activities, group activities, home visits from family monitors, field trips, and support groups. (SK)

Describes a workplace literacy project in Canada that trains "literate" workers to tutor their "illiterate" co-workers. Employers were beginning to realize that literacy training could increase production and decrease industrial accidents. Attitudes of employees toward the program are correlated to the attitude and interest of…

Reports on the first New York Literacy Vision Screening, which investigated whether illiterate adults enrolled in illiteracy programs might have undetected visual problems that were interfering with their quest for literacy. Finds a startling 66 percent with vision problems. (SR)