This chapter reviews the implications of policy as it has affected adult basic education over the last 25 years and problematizes the increasing institutionalization and stability that it has brought to the field.

Although many adult basic education programs offer distance learning (DL) for GED (General Educational Development) and English as a Second Language learners, this topic has received little scholarly attention. This article examines the availability, usage, and effectiveness of DL for rural GED candidates in Pennsylvania; students' demographic and…

In July 2011, the Welsh Government published the first data on adult literacy and numeracy in Wales since 2004. The summary information from the National Survey of Adult Skills in Wales shows that there has been an improvement in literacy levels (though challenges still remain), but little improvement in numeracy. Discussions are ongoing with…

The right to education is an internationally recognized right. As part of the global movement for Education for All in the past two decades, the right to basic education has emerged in international law, and it carries international obligations--political and legal--on account of collective commitments by the international community for its…

Employing statistical analysis, this study has made a preliminary exploration of promoting the equitable development of basic education in underdeveloped counties through the case study of Cili county. The unequally developed basic education in the county has been made clear, the reasons for the inequitable education have been analyzed, and,…

Identities are constructed throughout people's lives. In this paper, I explored the emerging reading identities of 10 adults who were pursuing GED (General Educational Development) credentials. While part of a much larger study that included many data sources, this paper draws on interview data to examine how one group of adults positioned…

With "basic education" now firmly a part of the current development discourse, this paper discusses how a selection of donors in Pacific education relate to this notion in terms of shifts in their development policy, their financial commitment and their underlying political agenda. With Levesque's (2001) notion of "perception…

Wichita, incorporated in 1870 as a village, is the largest city in Kansas. Its population has increased continually. During the 1970s and 1980s, there was a huge influx of refugees into Wichita. In this article, the author discusses the growth of adult basic education in Wichita and relates stories of several adult basic education students.…

Describes and critically analyzes adult literacy training efforts in Zambia from 1945 to 1986. Offers the integrated small-scale approach as a more beneficial and cost effective means of training. Suggests that a grass roots method which attacks illiteracy both across and within the community will lead to the most effective program. (KO)

The author examines the potentialities of bypassing literacy in efforts to bring education and development to Third World countries, concluding that literacy is essential for human and economic development. He cites various perspectives on literacy and development (232 references), and analyses alternative strategies for literacy campaigns,…

In his review of Rafe-uz-Zaman's essay (see v9, n1 of this journal), the author recommends the essay's message for adult education planners but criticizes many of its views and methods of expression. He calls for discussion of methodology instead of the essay's random survey of various approaches to policy. (MF)

Examines the potential of the World Bank scheme, outlined in its 1980 Education Sector Policy Paper, for helping Bangladesh achieve universal basic education. Considers such issues as formal vs. nonformal schooling, costs, and teacher training. Part of a theme issue on the World Bank Paper and Third World educational development. (SJL)

This article examines the process of development and change in the state of education in Cambodia over four decades preceding the 1990 Jomtien World Conference on Education for All. The author argues that during the 1950s and 1960s, efforts to enhance basic education opportunities for all Cambodians were largely unsuccessful due to the lack of…

The author comments on Rafe-uz-Zaman's approach to literacy education (see v9, n1 of this journal) and points out that literacy in adult education must progress from one stage to the next. He discusses pre-literacy (temporarily bypassing literacy instruction), life-oriented and work-oriented literacy education, educational supply and demand, and…

India's national adult education program is being planned to bring literacy to its 310 million adult illiterates. The first stage is projected to cover 100 million persons in the 15-35 age group by 1983-84. Problems include motivating institutions and individuals to participate and providing for adequate funding. (MF)