Adult education instructors can help desensitize a student's fear of certain reading materials by constructing and using worksheets to make the material user friendly. Such user friendly worksheets can be constructed for any type of reading material. Guidelines for designing user friendly worksheets that contain location, organization, and process…

Examines the relationship between locus of control and participation/completion among 553 clients in adult basic education classes. Findings only suggest a relationship between locus of control and completion. Findings do indicate variations among ethnic groups, educational levels, and age groups regarding completion and locus of control. (Author)

Composite math and writing scores for 353 General Educational Development (GED) graduates who had successfully completed the GED test were analyzed. For those who had attended classes and received coaching, significant differences were found on the writing skills test but not on the math test or overall test scores. (SK)

Describes a study that found that adult basic education (ABE) and general educational development (GED) students have low self-concepts and unrealistic career aspirations. Indicates the need for emphasis on building positive self-concepts and better career education programs for ABE and GED students. (JOW)

Findings from past research suggest that teachers in successful adult basic education/general educational development programs know how to adapt basic skills instruction to the concerns and ability levels of adult students. Results of an informal Mississippi survey illustrate that many teachers are unprepared to teach disadvantaged students basic…

Discusses a longitudinal study that found that students prepared in General Educational Development programs experience the same postsecondary educational success as high school graduates. (JOW)

Discusses a study of the readability of the prose passages of the General Educational Development (GED) Test in comparison with high school texts, adult reading materials, and commercial GED tests. (JOW)

Significant changes in the General Educational Development Math Test require a change in teaching methods. A structured problem-solving approach focused on applying principles and interpreting abstract data will stress process as well as content as required by the test. (SK)

This study examined intake records from 114 students enrolled in literacy training. Several variables obtained at intake were found to be related to persistence. Dropouts tended to (1) be young and Hispanic, (2) not be seeking high school equivalency certification, (3) be unemployed but available for work, and (4) have other illiterate family…

The purpose of the study was to describe (1) ways that adults prepare for the General Educational Development Test, (2) test performance of population subgroups, and (3) test candidates' employment and educational outcomes 18 months later. Significant differences were found in a number of areas, and variables related to test performance were…

Discusses the need to consider those adults in America with less than high school diplomas as a national priority. Notes statistics and information on educational finance and adult educational attainment. Suggests national objectives that focus on these individuals' unalienable rights, and provides a 1- or 5-year plan for reaching these…

A survey of 140 adults who were completing requirements for a high school diploma or upgrading their business or academic skills reported past and present barriers to participation in educational programs. In contrast to other research, attitudinal barriers such as lack of self-confidence and lack of previous education were reported more…

Reports results of a study which surveyed adult education opportunities presently being provided or facilitated by Head Start programs in Alabama and examined the types of adult education programs, patterns of participation in adult basic education General Educational Development (ABE/GED) programs, and the effect of class location on GED…

Study compared fifty adult performance level (APL) graduates' scores to fifty high school graduates' scores for four APL knowledge areas. APL graduates scored significantly higher than high school graduates in consumer economics and occupational knowledge. No significant differences were recorded between groups in areas of community resources and…

This study sought to discover the relationship between Adult Performance Level (APL) Survey scores and General Educational Development test scores. In Cook County, Illinois, 269 students were examined on both tests; scores were found to be correlated. Author discusses the need for both approaches. (Author/CSS)