Hamilton's critique of the National Federation for Educational Research (NFER) study, Progress in Adult Literacy, addresses the conceptualization of literacy, flaws in the research design, school-oriented focus, and validity and reliability of tests used; she suggests a research strategy. Brooks summarizes NFER's response. (SK)

The Small Group Learning Methodology Project in Australia demonstrated the powerful effect of group membership upon adult literacy. Group learning was facilitated by shared purpose, satisfaction of needs through interdependence, individual growth through group goals, and use of both whole group and one-to-one interaction. (SK)

Describes a Canadian curriculum development project; analyzes underlying policy assumptions. Advocates involvement of prison educators and inmates in the process if curriculum is to meet the educational needs of inmates. (Author/LAM)

"In Quest of the Quick Fix: Staff Development in the 'National Literacy Training Act'" (Quigley) argues that professional development programs must consider "literacy for what?""Foundations for Adult Learning and Development Policy" (Craig) evaluates a policy document of the Alberta Advanced Education Ministry. (SK)

This booklet provides an introduction for health service managers, trainers, and personnel about basic skills. It provides background information on the link between poor basic skills and poor health as well as information about the ways in which people use basic skills in their daily lives. Two reasons for health care organizations to be involved…

This document reports on the 1991 Planning Meeting on Asian/Pacific Joint Production (AJP) Program of Materials for Neo-Literates in Rural Areas, the purpose of which was to discuss Asian Cultural Center for Unesco (ACCU) literacy programs to be carried out under regional cooperation. Opening addresses focused on the success of the cooperative…

"Lead Kindly Light" was an extensive campaign for the total eradication of illiteracy within 1 year in the Ernakulam District of India. A major sponsor was Kerala Sastra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP), the Science and Education Center of Kerala; responsibility for the project was later handed over to the National Literacy Mission (NLM). The…

The papers written for this report deal with an analysis of volunteer and professional adult educators and with their training and continuing education. Papers include the following: "Adult Educators and Volunteers: A Partnership Strategy" (Russ Pacey, Susan Witter, and Barbara Bate); "The Professional Adult Educator: A Profile…

This booklet provides an introduction for people working in organizations concerned with housing and homelessness about basic skills. It provides background on the link between poor basic skills and poor housing and information about ways in which people use basic skills in their daily lives. Two reasons for housing organizations to be involved…

Designed to familiarize experienced and qualified basic skills tutors and coordinators with issues of teaching basic skills in the workplace in Great Britain, this course can be delivered by experienced workplace basic skills training program coordinators. It can be delivered over three days or as six half-day sessions. Each of the four units…

Changes in colleges of further education over recent years, including the involvement of a much wider range of students, mean that provision of basic skills has become an important issue for most colleges in England and Wales. Some colleges provide no basic skills support for students; others have some support for students; and still others also…

A study examined flexible delivery modes that could be used to provide adult literacy and basic education (ALBE) to students in rural areas of Victoria, Australia. Telephone interviews were conducted with 29 students and 20 tutors and administrators involved in community-based programs, the 3CCC Airwaves Learning radio program, and off-campus…

Workplace education (WPE) has a significant role to play in solving basic skills problems and in other training requirements. In addition to the benefit of a more able, adaptable work force, WPE leads to more contented workers, encouraged by better employment opportunities. In addition, employees benefit by being more confident both within the…

The Norfolk (England) Local Education Authority (LEA) undertook successful collaborations with employers, voluntary organizations, and the health service. Many employers were willing to invest in basic skills training for their employees in work time and in the workplace. They were more receptive if a need had been identified or employees had…

The nine papers in this volume represent a majority of the presentations at a conference that examined in detail employee development (ED) initiatives from Europe and North America. An introduction provides a contextual background to the vocational training and education debates characterizing policy development in the European and North American…