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)

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…

This document, which is intended to assist adult literacy staff development and training personnel working at the state, district, and program levels, contains considerations and guidelines essential for an effective, comprehensive staff development and training program. Discussed in Section 1, which is an overview of staff development and…

A model for evaluation planning of post-literacy programs involves listing possible evaluation needs, administration of evaluation, and dissemination of evaluation results for utilization by all potential users. Questions that should be pursued in evaluating post-literacy can be divided into these categories: (1) questions at the interface…

Noting that, generally, low-literate adults in Labrador and Newfoundland (Canada) are being helped only through the altruistic efforts of literate volunteers, this paper argues that adult literacy must be professionalized and become an integral part of the education system. The paper begins with a brief discussion of the definitions of literacy,…

Suggests adult literacy practitioners must, among other things (1) respect students, (2) reject the labelling and classifying of them, (3) establish good personal relationships with them, (4) be open to varied pedagogical techniques, (5) help students experience success, and (6) support preservice and inservice staff development. (MM)

This report provides a summary and evaluation of a retreat held for the directors and literacy coordinators of the 46 public libraries participating in the California Literacy Campaign (CLC), their supervisors, State Library staff, and members of the California Library Services Board. Following a brief introduction and overview, descriptions of…

Discusses the content and structure of a computer-based instructional program in reading for disadvantaged adults and describes the design, test materials, procedures, and results of a formative evaluation with 36 pre-GED students in an Illinois Correctional Center. Results support the value of such complete computer-based reading comprehension…

Although college adult developmental reading does not enjoy the status of mainstream academic fields, it has made substantial progress toward that goal in the past three decades. Characteristics differentiating it from academic fields are its generalist orientation, its isolation from other disciplines, and its emphasis on practitioners as…

This report describes an evaluation of Project SELF HELP, a school-based family literacy program serving parents and other caretakers, elementary school age children, and preschool children 2 days per week during the school year. A summer reading program was also available to families. The evaluation was conducted in 1992-1993 to inform program…