In academic year 1983-84, 19 postsecondary institutions participated in adult literacy projects under the Federal College Work Study (CWS) Program as part of the National Adult Literacy Initiative. (This report presents data from the 18 projects that returned questionnaires.) Approximately 256 college students tutored in reading, writing, math,…

Since 1985, the number of adult literacy programs provided by the Toronto Board of Education has increased by 500 percent and learners by almost 300 percent, so that in 1989, almost 9,000 adults are enrolled in nearly 700 classes. Two distinct groups are being served: a unilingual group, most of whom are Canadian-born, English-speaking young…

This overview of intergenerational and family literacy programs in the United States consists of five sections, a bibliography, and four appendices. Section 1 presents background information and expectations for programs and describes the target populations and program designs and administration. Section 2 describes the research base and the…

An instructors' manual describing the "Write-Now" approach to teaching writing to adult students preparing for the General Educational Development (GED) test together with a final report describing the project that developed the manual is presented. Topics covered in the 16 chapters of the manual include the following: what we believe…

The Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council tested four systems that could be used to provide supportive services to a minimum of 100 volunteer literacy tutors. The following four support systems were developed: a program providing for telephone consultation by a reading specialist, informal meetings of volunteer tutors, workshop class reunions, and a…

Field experience reports are provided for exemplary adult education programs in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia which were each visited by an adult education administrator from another of the programs. Each report overviews the program, makes observations on unique aspects of the program (such as programs,…

The Horry County, South Carolina, Reading Crusade, a joint effort of the Literacy Council and the school district, was begun in 1979-80 with the intent of raising the literacy level of adults. The school district's Adult and Community Education Department provided office space, telephones, lab space, salaries, and mileage for the coordinators. The…

In Pennsylvania where 30 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate and another 24 percent has only marginal competence, no state funds are appropriated for adult basic education and general educational development (ABE/GED) programs. All programs are supported by federal aid. Information shows that economic revitalization and a…

Based on Heilbruner's thesis (1959) in "The Future as History," an understanding of the historical strengths, weaknesses, institutional forms, and trends in adult education can help predict its future. The flexibility and diversity of adult education have been tremendous advantages. They have also contributed to the confusion over what adult…

This guide was developed to assist volunteers in tutoring adult readers who read below the ninth-grade level. It was intended to be used as a supplement to the tutor training programs for volunteers at Drake University. The following topics are discussed in the guide in either narrative or question-and-answer format: getting started as a tutor,…

This curriculum plan contains materials for tutors to use in teaching adults to read. It was developed for the Drake University reading tutoring program. The curriculum plan is organized in four levels. The first level covers letter recognition, handwriting, auditory discrimination, sound/symbol coordination, short vowel sounds, sight words, and…

This exploration of the growing field of literacy voluntarism encompasses the literature, history, trends, and issues of the volunteer role in literacy programs. The majority of the literature is characterized as descriptive and program specific; the research is found to lack definition and theoretical foundation. The literature also reflects…

This handbook provides administrators and staffs of adult education programs with general information on volunteerism in adult education; information on specific programs and strategies, specifically Project SAVE (State Adult Volunteers in Education); and guidelines for program implementation. An overview of the impact of adult illiteracy precedes…

A two-pronged theory underlying literacy campaigns suggests that (1) the prevailing ideology of a society will determine the objectives of the literacy campaign as well as the language of justification used by the development elite in the promotion of adult literacy; and (2) the ideology, as expressed in the political culture of a society, will…

As part of a continuing series, this book contains 21 papers, the titles of which reflect the authors' attention to the theme of the conference (the nature of reading behavior and the central role of meaning in the broad definition of reading). Titles include the following topics: (1) reading as one part of language; (2) how home life affects…