With only four years of mandated state-standards in adult basic education (ABE), very little is known about the influence of state-standards implementation on the unique learning needs of its adult students. Two decades of research on standards-based education in the U.S. K12 system has yielded widely debated results regarding the impact of…

This paper reports on the implementation of a high level contextualized mathematics curriculum by 12 adult basic instructors in a midwestern state. The 10-week pilot curriculum embedded high level mathematics in contexts that were familiar to adult learners. Instructors' weekly online posts were coded, and the following themes emerged: (a)…

The extant literature offers little to describe the processes for screening students in adult basic education (ABE) programs for potential learning disabilities, referring adult students for diagnostic assessment, or barriers to obtaining diagnostic assessment for a learning disability. Without current documentation of a learning disability, ABE…

A project was conducted in Pennsylvania to provide technical support to the APEX nomination and awards activity that recognizes outstanding adult education practitioners. The project included a revision of the nomination form and procedures developed for APEX in 1998 to align them with Adult Teacher Competency Standards developed in 1999. The APEX…

This report profiles 13 exemplary adult literacy programs and 6 innovative practices throughout Canada. Compiled through personal contacts of the researcher and knowledge of the field, the programs described represent institutional programs, workplace programs, and community-based programs. For each of the programs, the following information is…

This guide resulted from a project conducted to develop a process for evaluating adult basic education (ABE) tutoring programs. Through a literature search and discussions with ABE practitioners in Canada, a list of 17 statements of good practice was formulated. These statements were used as a basis for the development of a program questionnaire,…

This six-chapter monograph describes the development of adult basic education (ABE) in the Netherlands. It documents a process from the development of literacy by enthusiastic volunteers to professionalized and institutionalized adult education, which is still evolving. In chapter 1, a general outline of the problem of functional illiteracy…

This document summarizes the research papers and panel discussions submitted or presented for a conference on planning and management of literacy and continuing education. The conference participants shared findings and important features in the planning and management of literacy and continuing education among participating countries, imparted…

The following papers are included: "Seminar's Focus on Practice Puts Action on the Human Level" (Margaret Gayfer); "Literacy: What Do Definitions Tell Us?" (Carman Hunter); "The Practice of Literacy in the Netherlands" (Ella Bohnenn); "The Approach of Popular Literacy Groups in Quebec" (Louise Miller); "Perspectives and Lessons from the Adult…

Accounts differ as to the state of adult literacy education in China. One scholar says that programs are contracting severely, whereas Chinese officials contend that programs are operating with more students and more efficiency. A true picture of literacy education in China depends on research and statistics that are being gathered. The overall…

The Namibian Extension Unit (NEU), a distance education program for Namibian refugees in Zambia and Angola, was established in 1981 and began teaching courses in mid-1982. Its purpose is to provide basic education to adult Namibian refugees using the distance education format. The NEU provides courses in study skills, introductory English and…

This paper summarizes 14 case studies from 13 countries commissioned by Unesco to describe the educational provisions for adults in the special context of scientific and technological development and to study a selected number of programs at greater depth. The countries chosen by Unesco are all countries with developed or developing industries,…

World Education, with a small grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development, began an experimental pilot project in nonformal education at a university research center, a pilot project that eventually became the Government of Nepal's national literacy program. The program evolved gradually over 12 years (1977-89) and was molded in…

This handbook contains guidelines for setting up a workplace literacy project through a partnership between business and an educational partner. It is based on the experiences of a workplace literacy partnership of Bakery Europa, Straub Clinic and Hospital, and the University of Hawaii. Information is provided on the following six topics: (1)…

This discussion paper provides background information describing the service base of adult literacy education programs in Washington State and highlights local initiatives to coordinate services. Based on "The Washington State Literacy Resource Directory," the report identifies 102 local service providers of literacy services to adults.…