The results of surveys on adult basic education (ABE) student characteristics and program goals are presented in this digest along with recommendations on career development in ABE. Topics include: (1) results of a survey of directors of ABE projects which ranked the importance of 10 goals of ABE (Young and others 1980); (2) statistics from a…

Recently, the definition of functional literacy has been broadened to include the completion of a secondary education or its equivalent. This definition focuses on obtaining the functional competencies required to perform adequately in adult life. Three major sets of functional competencies are represented in models developed by the Adult…