This report describes how a Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) Title VI Library Literacy Program grant was used to improve the literacy and coping skills of illiterate and functionally illiterate inmates incarcerated at the Mississippi State Penitentiary. A second objective of this literacy program was to produce an annotated…

This compilation of ERIC Digests describes issues, highlights exemplary programs and promising practices, and explains research results that can assist educators in achieving the far-reaching national education goals adopted by the President and the governors in 1990. The two lead digests are "An Overview of the Six National Education…

A February 1990 meeting, held at El Paso Community College (Texas) honoring language and cultural diversity in the adult literacy field is summarized. The report describes the conference's tour activities sampling local cultural sites, presents "quotable quotes" of participants and leaders, and reviews the issues and trends in literacy…

"The ERIC Review" announces research results, publications, and new programs relevant to each issue's theme topic. This second issue contains three principal articles: "Issues in Adult Literacy Education," by JoAnn Crandall and Susan Imel; "Emergent Literacy: An Early Reading and Writing Concept," by Carl B. Smith;…

This paper examines the factors that contribute to a library's decision to become involved in adult literacy and the service roles assumed by a given library. Common library literacy service roles (i.e., collections, services in support of local literacy efforts, and direct instruction) are discussed and profiles of the types of libraries that are…

Although the emphasis on adult literacy/basic education is increasing, the high dropout rate from programs in these areas is a concern. Why learners choose to participate or not to participate in such programs can be understood in terms of three sets of factors. Learner-inherent factors include self-evaluation, goals, and capabilities. Life…

The 1988-89 Highlands Educational Literacy Project (HELP) in southwest Virginia was initially designed to provide local volunteer tutors with intensive training in the Laubach one-to-one method of teaching reading. HELP was a cooperative effort of community service agencies, church and civic groups, and interested individuals to provide free…

Based on the experiences of a literacy center in Texas, this handbook is intended to assist adult educators in developing a similar program in their community. The purpose of the literacy referral system is to provide educationally and economically disadvantaged adults with an individualized educational and employment plan based on an assessment…

A study evaluated the effectiveness of the Templates for Literacy manual, which is designed to help the adult beginning reader integrate computer and literacy learning. The manual contains guidelines and strategies for incorporating word processing, spreadsheet, database, and graphics software into literacy curricula. The draft manual was…

Illiteracy is a serious problem for older people, particularly for older minorities. Of the 23 million adults in the United States classified as functionally illiterate, 44 percent are over 50, and those 60 and over account for about one-third of the totally illiterate population. Being illiterate to whatever degree diminishes the employment…

This guide offers suggestions for developing learning materials for self-instruction by adults. It is based on methods used in the Bristol (England) Open Learning Centre. The guide covers the following topics: (1) using open (self-instructional) materials with basic education students; (2) supplying support for instructional materials; (3)…

Project LEIF (Learning English through Intergenerational Friendship) is a program begun in 1985 in which an intergenerational core of tutors was trained to teach English to refugees in the Philadelphia area. The program has since expanded and been replicated in four other cities. This manual is intended to help those individuals or groups…

This curriculum was developed to give adult basic education (ABE) teachers starting points for developing their own units around housing-related issues. The texts have been chosen thematically, rather than by skill level. The materials are designed for group work--oral reading and discussion. Readings focus on housing repairs, court procedures,…

Five articles from this newsletter of the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) describe IDRA programs that are part of the organization's family literacy efforts. "The Family English Literacy Project: Promoting Adult Literacy in San Antonio" outlines a program to provide English language literacy for 125 parents of…

The first of two papers that comprise this document introduces Australia's response to 1990 as the United Nations (UN) International Literacy Year (ILY). The second paper sets policy directions for Australia's Literacy Year program. The first paper contains the six UN objectives for the year (to increase government action to combat illiteracy,…