Shows that adult education objectives must be evaluative propositions rather than descriptive propositions; as evaluative propositions they cannot be used as "evidence" to defend the cancellation or repetition of programs. Presents a possible solution to the "is-ought-is" dichotomy as it relates to the use of evaluative…

The arguments for the monitoring and evaluation of adult literacy and basic education programs are no different from those justifying monitoring and evaluation of any other educational program. The priority and status accorded different programs are likely to determine commitment to their internal and external evaluation and the form that these…

During the past 20 years, international and bilateral assistance and funding agencies have become increasingly involved in evaluation activities in adult and nonformal education, especially in developing countries. The adult education field pioneered many approaches now advocated by specialists in program and project evaluation. Beginning in the…

Addressed to professionals involved in program evaluation, this working paper covers various aspects of evaluation planning, including the following: planning as a sociotechnical process, steps in evaluation planning, program planning and implementation versus evaluation planning and implementation, the literacy system and its subsystems, and some…

The process of developing indicators, measures, and standards of program quality can be considered a tiered, four-step process consisting of the following: (1) identification of topic areas important to program quality; (2) establishing the indicators that reflect quality for each area; (3) determining measures of the indicators; and (4) setting a…

This handbook is intended for teachers new to adult basic education (ABE) programs and attempts to cover concepts of adult learning and the role of the educator as facilitator and resource for self-directed learners. Background information is provided concerning the phenomenon of illiteracy with discussions of basic principles (particularly…

A model was developed for evaluating formal and informal learning by older adults in a variety of contexts. The model, which adopts a longitudinal approach, focuses on the outcomes of provision and is based on the assumption that outcomes should be evaluated in light of the processes (accessibility and responsiveness of provision, appropriateness…

These 10 papers represent an application of a philosophical theory to resolving a particular problem in adult education or an example of how some of these problems can be examined philosophically. Chapter 1 addresses the myth of the philosophy of adult education. Chapter 2 reports a survey of professors of adult education to determine why they…

This monograph contains the proceedings of a conference that provided a forum for those who design, develop, conduct, evaluate, or administer competency-based educational programs for adults regardless of the program setting. Introductory materials include an overview of the conference, an introduction, and a foreward that summarizes the previous…

Presents a critical review of the research on the effectiveness of adult literacy programs. Suggests that the methods used in current literacy programs offer students little chance of significant improvement. (ARH)

This document presents the Guam Adult Education Quality Performance Indicators to enable Guam Community College to promote program improvements in the adult education programs it offers to Guam's educationally disadvantaged adult learners. Definitions are provided of these terms: quality performance indicator, performance measure, and performance…

This special issue of the "Courier" has been produced to mark the beginning of International Literacy Year 1990. It brings together papers from adult educators involved in literacy work about who needs literacy and why, what literacy is, who can help in creating the right conditions for literacy to succeed, and how to evaluate literacy…

The structure of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) is built on the belief that flexibility and responsibility are necessary at the state and local levels to tailor successful programs. The purposely limited federal role allows state and local decisions to flourish. JTPA's private-public partnership has been a major public relations success…

This report presents results from interviews with a sampling of experienced Equipped for the Future (EFF) users. Chapter I provides background and context for this initiative. Chapter II provides facts and figures from the field and presents questions posed and interviewees' views. The questions are as follows: (1) Why did you or your organization…

Discusses the need for balance in the research and evaluation of adult beginning readers in seven areas: program success and failure, problem definition versus adult competence, reminiscence versus current requirements, call to action versus knowledge, sociological and instructional diagnosis, assumption versus honest appraisal, and reporting on…