Since colonial times, definitions and estimates of illiteracy in the United States have been debated. The Census Bureau's major indicator is number of years of schooling completed. However, average grade-level attainment is high, whereas estimates of levels of reading ability remain low. In addition, these measures are inadequate for adults. A…

This article is devoted to explaining the use and misuse of standardized tests in adult literacy programs. Among the topics covered on that subject are why the tests are of such interest among adult educators: because the authority vested in these tests can determine the way programs are developed, what is taught, the climate of teaching and…

An 18-month national literacy audit of maintenance worker jobs in multifamily apartment complexes sought to find out: (1) the literacy demands for their job success and promotion; (2) the effects of geographical location on their literacy demands; (3) the effects of management policies on their literacy demands; (4) the impact of illiteracy on…