Systematic knowledge about the dimensions and levels of literacy and information about its distribution are prerequisites for forming good educational policy. This issue discusses the conduct and findings of the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS). The IALS was not intended to rank literacy skills across countries, but was intended to make…

This issue reviews recent studies conducted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Three sections are included. The first section--"Enough Good Teachers?"--examines teacher availability and concludes that there currently is an undeniable shortage of minority teachers. However, there are some encouraging signs of renewed interest in…