The social context activity model of adult literacy instruction posits that literacy is a relative phenomena and literacy needs are specific to the individual and the social context within which the individual operates. Instruction is based on the concept of activity with a prospective focus on the formation of students' shared and personal…

Presents an overview of the PLATO Corrections Project (PCP) in Illinois and Minnesota, and describes recent curriculum development efforts in adult reading comprehension and vocabulary development. Data collected on student/instructor usage, attitudes, and achievement demonstrate that the PCP system is feasible, attractive, and effective in…

Describes how a language experience approach was used in a workplace literacy program for adult immigrant railroad workers in Australia. Describes how the workshop built on participants' developed oral skills and life experience to create texts that were relevant, interesting, and comprehensible to these learners. (SR)

This issue contains 21 articles discussing library-sponsored literacy programs, tutoring and programming techniques, and state and national efforts. The articles include: (1) "Beyond Decoding: Literacy and Libraries--Introduction" (Amy Spaulding); (2) "Libraries: Natural Centers for Literacy" (Jacqueline Cook); (3) "Kids…

The "Let's Talk about It" program began in Vermont as a reading and discussion group based in local libraries and grew into a program in 30 states and supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The program brought together a diverse audience of adults to read books on selected themes in literature.…

This article describes Vermont's "Connections" project, a book discussion program designed to move newly literate adults from practical literacy to "literate" literacy by engaging them in discussion of texts and ideas in the tradition of liberal education in the humanities. The article also describes the Vermont Reading…

An account of five years of activity during which the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) worked with the United Kingdom's Adult Literacy Campaign is provided in this book. Much of the book is in the form of a diary that gives an account of the progress, mistakes, and doubts of the broadcasters as they worked with a wide range of agencies,…

Examines the current status of adult literacy programs in rural areas. Discusses the goals of rural adult literacy programs and the types of programs reported to be effective. Discusses the needs of adult illiterates in rural areas and the conditions that support--or limit--the widespread influence of effective programs. (MG)

Describes an adult English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) program using the Language Experience Approach and designed to serve immigrants and refugees. Discusses the use of educationally naive bilingual tutors and a combinatory instructional format. Argues that the program is pedagogically sound, cost effective, and encourages the students to take…

This compilation presents material related to a Library Literacy program, which was designed to collect, publish, and distribute the writing of new adult readers and whose target audience was students, teachers, tutors and librarians involved in library-based literacy programs in Massachusetts. The first part of the compilation presents the final…

The Basic Skills Learning System is a modularized network of computer assisted tutorials, drills, tests, printed materials, and videotaped presentations directed at improving the basic reading, math, and language skills of adults who have mastered these skills at a level above third grade but below the eighth. (Author)

In a concerted effort to head off a situation in which almost half of the nation's young adults may conceivably be judged as having restricted literacy skills, the Educational Testing Service (ETS) has made a major commitment of human and financial resources to the area of adult literacy. ETS is directing a team of researchers and measurement…

The comprehensive plan presented in this document in sequential steps shows both the Maryland reading effort accomplishments (1971-74) and its present and future plans (1975-80) and demonstrates a set of ideas based on citizen concerns and needs assessments that are being translated into a reading program. Contents of this document include a…

Describes a research project to evaluate the progress of adult beginning readers. States that the project gave the authors insight into designing and carrying out research; broadened their understanding of how students learn about the learning process; enriched their teaching; and helped them view others' research in a new light. (RS)

The first year of the "Operation New Horizons"--Right to Read--Adult Reading Academy Project, sponsored by the Northeast Alabama State Junior College in Rainsville, Alabama, is evaluated in this report. (The objectives of the project, which began on July 1, 1975, centered on (1) developing a reading academy which would help eliminate…