Reviews the literature dealing with ways of improving the effectiveness of adult basic education reading instruction in the areas of teacher training, teaching styles, instructional methods and materials, and adult learning patterns. Discusses the implications of the studies cited. (AYC)

Presents the case history of an adult nonreader taught to read through the language experience approach, rereading, retelling, assisted reading, and sustained silent reading. (DD)

This bibliographic essay describes resources available in the ERIC database for teachers of adult beginning readers. Categories considered are theories, principles, and assessment tools; resources to assist with material selection and development; and practical teaching guidelines. (SK)

Cost effectiveness analysis in terms of personnel, facilities, equipment, materials, and overhead was made of two adult basic reading programs: Technology for Literacy Center's tutor-based program and Principle of the Alphabet Literacy System (PALS), computer-assisted instruction. Costs per unit of gain in reading skills clearly favored the PALS…

The experiences of men and women who participated in a Salvadoran adult literacy program belie the instrumentalist discourse of adult education, for they identified psychosocial benefits as the most meaningful aspects of the program. Attending literacy classes did not change their material situation as underemployed "campesinos/as," but…

This article details the work of Vonda Ward--a middle-school teacher turned librarian. When Vonda Ward was a middle-school teacher, she could not get her students to share her excitement about history because they could not read its stories. That is when she realized how much subject mastery depended on the basics. Broward County Library's leaders…

Adult literacy programs offer individuals, particularly women, opportunities to improve their educational levels and economic circumstances; however, persistence in these programs is an issue for many. Two hundred forty five participants in a statewide adult literacy program took the Adult Education Persistence Scale, a measure of self-efficacy,…

Noting that Katherine Paterson's books are loved by school children everywhere, this paper discusses her engagement with the books she writes and how children respond to them. The paper begins with a brief discussion of the inspiration of one of Katherine Paterson's fairy tales and presents an extended discussion of the motivation behind her…

Reasons are given for encouraging adults to read books published for children. (PF)

This document offers "reciprocal questioning" as a technique that promotes active learning and that is a practical and powerful way to help students improve their reading comprehension. First, the technique is described in detail. Steps include selection of four to five paragraphs of text; preparation of 10-12 questions over the material,…

This annotated bibliography contains 34 references on issues concerning adult literacy listed in the ERIC database. It contains citations from the period between 1987 and 1989 and is divided into four sections. The first section provides an overview of adult literacy. Articles and papers in the second section describe and discuss adult literacy…

Pheonix's Public Employment Program (PEP) helps workers qualify for permanent jobs. (MW)

This paper suggests that reading offers a partial solution to the adaptation problems that older adults must face. Reading materials provide a means of disseminating information among older adults, and offer a source for consumer services information and basic education in living for those adjusting to retirement or old age. In addition, reading…

The concept of an administrator of literacy programs as one who is reflective of the values of those responsible for the program is explored in this paper. The paper places literacy in a framework of values as an instrumental value, or journey toward an end state, requiring competency from the individual. The theories of Paulo Freire, who…

Sixteen volunteer aides living in inner city Milwaukee were selected according to education (a high school diploma), age (21 years or older), experience working with people, dependability, and availability. They were divided into four groups, and each group was assigned an instructor from the Marquette University reading staff. Ten weekly training…