The United States faces an increasing gap between the skills possessed by its workforce and those that are necessary to succeed in the 21st century economy. This gap poses a threat to the financial wellbeing of low-skilled American workers and their families and to the nation's long-term economic growth. Recognizing the threat posed by these…

Prior research has classified strategies to facilitate adult learners' transitions to postsecondary opportunities into five broad categories: advising, General Educational Development-plus (GED-plus), English as a second language, career pathways, and college preparatory (Zafft, Kallenbach, & Spohn, 2006). This two-part study relied on…

As globalization and technological change remake the labor market, it has become increasingly clear that the United States must create better educational and workforce training programs if we are to remain competitive. In order to help disadvantaged and low-skilled workers advance in the new labor market, educational opportunities are needed that…

This newsletter, published five times a year, features articles on issues of concern to adult, family, and youth literacy practitioners, as well as recommended resources, announcements, and teaching strategies. (1) Creating a 21st Century Adult Literacy System (Martin C. Finsterbusch); (2) What Research Can Tell Us (Stephen Reder); (3) Skills the…

Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) is an innovative program and strategy developed by the Washington (WA) State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) in conjunction with the state's 29 community colleges and five technical colleges. Its goal is to increase the rate at which adult basic education and…

According to the General Accounting Office (GAO), at least 154 programs administered by 14 federal departments/agencies provide approximately $25 billion in annual employment training assistance. The GAO reviewed 62 of those programs in December 1993, and a U.S. Senate committee requested basic information about 88 of the programs in June 1994.…

A number of findings and recommendations regarding the mission of Private Industry Councils (PICs) under the Job Training Partnership ACT (JTPA) were developed based on information collected in several ways: a focus group of PICs, roundtable discussions held nationwide with staff from nearly 100 PICs in 45 states, and canvasses of more than 200…

An evaluation was made of the programs of the Des Moines Independent Community School District's Department of Community/Adult and Continuing Education. The 1992-93 budget for the department was $1,385,000. Ten full-time staff and 300 part-time staff administer, teach, and support program offerings. The department provides educational,…

This guide is designed to help educators plan and carry out evaluations of adult education programs. It describes some of the more common approaches to program evaluation that can easily be adapted to and implemented by adult education programs. The guide is organized in 10 sections. Following an introduction and overview in section 1, section 2…

The use of law, force, social pressure, and other forms of compulsion to "encourage" lifelong learning and to expand the market for adult education has been a growing concern for many adult educators. Because of the proliferation of requirements for mandatory continuing education (MCE), a task force was formed to study MCE, and to mobilize opinion…

This report records the testimony presented by Clarence C. Crawford, Associate Director, Education and Employment Issues, Human Resources, of the General Accounting Office, on the effectiveness of Title IIA of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) in meeting the employment and training needs of economically disadvantaged adults and youth. His…

A review was conducted of two issues related to the participation rate requirements of the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) component of the Family Support Act of 1988: (1) the extent to which states have served those most at risk of long-term welfare dependency--the least job-ready--relative to other Aid for Families with Dependent…

This document reports oral and written testimony given at hearings by witnesses concerning House Bill (H.B.) 2039, the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) Amendments of 1989, and related proposals. The proposed legislation is designed to correct shortcomings in JTPA and to redirect focus to the hard to serve; and provide more intensive services…

The Fiscal Year-1986 310 catalog includes more than 350 projects funded under Section 310 of the Adult Education Act, with a total investment of almost $8 million. Analysis of 310 project information submitted by states came to the following conclusions, among others: (1) staff development is the highest priority for 310 projects, nationally (32…

Rapid expansion of the prison population in Michigan has created concern for consistency, continuity, and articulation within the Michigan Department of Corrections vocational programs, which serve approximately 1,800 prisoners at a time. For this reason, a study was undertaken to determine how vocational education within Michigan's prisons might…