Discusses some areas which require the immediate attention of research in adult education, including policymaking and program planning, teaching methods, training needs of staff, evaluation, attitudes, motivation, production of teaching material, administration and organization, adult literacy, and functional literacy. (TA)

An interview with Paulo Freire describes his radical educational policy developed in Brazil in the early 1960s. He introduced curriculum reform, new models of school management, and a movement for participatory literacy training. (JOW)

Functional/technical definitions of literacy have shifted to the concept of literacies. Focus groups in Scotland (n=113) explored the meaning of literacies, incentives and barriers to participation, and formation of learner identities. Participants indirectly adopted a deficit perspective. They did not share the pluralist conception of theory and…

The Ronald M. Hubbs Center for Lifelong Learning is adult education facility that combines the latest computer and video technology with traditional adult literacy instruction. In addition to instructional services, the center includes day care facilities, family education programs, counseling services, and other agency offices. (JOW)

Identifies critical variables that underlie young adults' performance on document literacy tasks from the National Assessment of Educational Progress's Young Adult Literacy study. Argues that the variables identified and document grammar developed could help improve the usability of documents, assist readers in understanding documents, and develop…

This study described the reading processes of adults in reading programs by collecting oral reading miscues and retellings from 122 adults at reading levels one through eight. Results of factor and cluster analysis revealed the need to look beyond levels of word identification and comprehension in understanding how adults read. (JOW)

Discusses the marketing and promotion of adult literacy programs. Indicates the need for a comprehensive plan to serve targeted students effectively. (JOW)

Examines assumptions (such as "every adult can read to some extent" and "adult students will be well motivated") held by a veteran high school social studies teacher before he began teaching adults how to read. Discusses how some of the assumptions were valid, some invalid, and others partly valid. (RS)

Describes how creative writing led to a development in literacy and had a therapeutic effect for incarcerated youths in a county jail. States that six inmates composed and recorded a rap song "How to Stay Out of Jail" as a caution to their younger siblings. Concludes that this improved the inmates' self-esteem and helped them reevaluate…

William Glasser's Reality Therapy approach proposes seven stages to challenge adults to become involved with learning: establish supportive relationships, evaluate behavior, develop a learning plan, achieve commitment, accept no excuses, eliminate punishment, and refuse to give up. (SK)

The rationale for publishing adult literacy learners' work can involve disrupting existing power relations and giving voice to the marginalized. How work is published can also be an opportunity to alter the balance of power; for example, by having learners be the publishers, editors, and so on. (SK)

Looks at the increasing rate of illiteracy in developing countries and the role of family literacy programs in combating the trend. Describes family literacy programs as different from traditional literacy programs in that they are designed to maximize the probability that adults will succeed in transferring their new beliefs, attitudes,…

Fostering storytelling in adult literacy programs helps learners build confidence, gain experience in using literacy skills, and encourages a sense of community. (SK)

Reports on a survey of two groups of prison inmate-students and tutors about their reading, past and present, and to what factors they attribute their current reading levels. Finds that reading-proficient inmates see reading as having a purpose, whereas those who did not develop reading proficiency may have been influenced by physical or…

It is argued that there are particular kinds of literacies, each defined by its own characteristic format, style, and context of use. The significant question for the future is not "How literate?" but "Literate how?" (13 references) (LB)