Universities can play a role in resolving the problems of functionally illiterate adults, which have reduced human capital and economic production. One university's adult competency initiative provided classes and tutoring for its employees and community members, supporting its mission to apply knowledge in the real world. (SK)

To meet future needs, secondary vocational education must shift from job-specific training and concentrate on producing literate workers with versatile mathematics and language skills. It should be responsive to individual needs, interests, desires, and abilities to ensure that they are addressed with maximum articulation and interface with…

Argues that only when educators understand the mutual interaction of the educational system and the economy, join local and state coalitions to address the underlying issues producing the current fiscal crisis, and work for local control can economic conditions affecting the schools change and allow educational quality to improve. (Author/PGD)