The literature on retention of adult learners strongly suggests that previous educational attainment is closely tied to participation and persistence. Educationally disadvantaged adults are more likely to lack self-confidence and self-esteem, have negative attitudes toward education, and need mastery of basic skills such as literacy before…

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…

Nine industry-based adult literacy programs across the country were studied to identify exemplary training programs and practices that business and industry trainers, planners, and policymakers and individuals in the public education sector alike could replicate in designing adult literacy programs. Training programs offered by the following…

Intended for use by literacy workers, teacher trainers, and program developers and directors, this annotated bibliography brings together the most current writings about adult literacy education available in journals, books, and ERIC documents. The entries are arranged into five sections: (1) the state of adult literacy, both in the United States…

This booklet contains descriptions of the 13 finalists in the U.S. Secretary of Education's Program of Awards for Outstanding Adult Education Programs. The programs, which include adult basic education (ABE), English as a second language (ESL), and adult secondary education (including general educational development--GED) programs are grouped into…

This report is designed as a guide for policymakers and practitioners interested in designing more effective staff development practices. It provides information about elements of effective staff development practices identified through a review of research and site visits to nine staff development programs identified as providing effective…

A study was conducted to improve the link between basic skill instruction and entry into various vocational training programs. Data were collected from the following sources: current professional literature; developers and publishers of adult basic education (ABE) instructional materials; consultations with experts in the fields of adult literacy,…

A project was conducted in Texas using an intergenerational approach to literacy instruction. Parents received individualized literacy instruction using the Language Experience Approach, as well as instruction designed to help them encourage literacy skill development in their children. Children and parents also worked together on literacy…

Compiled for rural educators, this catalog describes 58 exemplary educational programs available for adoption by any school through the National Diffusion Network (NDN), but selected with the needs and resources of rural schools in mind. Introductory sections explain the function of NDN and the role of NDN facilitators in assisting those seeking…

This 310 Special Project performed the following activities: (1) reviewed 10 years of Pennsylvania's materials funded under Section 310 of the Adult Education Act and published six "FOCUS on Curriculum" bulletins describing outstanding projects; and (2) prepared a 1985 addendum to Pennsylvania's listing of publishers' materials for adult…

This guide contains an annotated bibliography of 107 resources for: (1) Basic 0-4; (2) Adult Basic Education; (3) English as a Second Language; (4) pre-General Educational Development Test; (5) General Educational Development Test; and (6) workplace programs published since 1986. It also contains a listing of job-specific workplace curriculum and…

This manual is designed to provide instructors with basic information concerning Connecticut's bilingual vocational training programs (BVTPs). Discussed in the first section are the goals of BVTPs, characteristics of typical BVTP participants, how and when two languages are used in the programs, and the four instructional areas of a BVTP (the…

These three learning guides comprise one of four packages in the Workplace Literacy Teacher Training series that provides information and skills necessary for the user to become a successful instructor in an effective workplace literacy program. The guides in this package look at the unique environment and culture involved in providing education…

These four learning guides comprise one of four packages in the Workplace Literacy Teacher Training series that provides information and skills necessary for the user to become a successful instructor in an effective workplace literacy program. The guides in this package are designed to prepare the instructor to ensure that the workplace literacy…