The literature on retention of adult learners strongly suggests that previous educational attainment is closely tied to participation and persistence. Educationally disadvantaged adults are more likely to lack self-confidence and self-esteem, have negative attitudes toward education, and need mastery of basic skills such as literacy before…

This volume contains descriptions of five community work education councils that have broadened their agendas from a focus on youth issues to include serving adult learners by improving adults' access to education and training and by improving the articulation between work and learning institutions that serve adults in the community. Included in…

A project was undertaken to introduce gerontological content into the professional preparation of adult educators in the master's program in adult education offered at the University of Southern Maine. After courses in the existing curriculum of the master's program were analyzed for the appropriateness and currency of their gerontological…

Even Start is a family literacy and support program for families with young children. This paper identifies several characteristics of adult learners in order to suggest effective approaches for working with adults to improve literacy skills. The first section presents five case studies illustrating adults with different histories, circumstances,…

Developed to serve as a comprehensive human resource directory of adult educators in Pennsylvania, as a conceptual framework for adult basic education (ABE) in Pennsylvania and as a resource guide for ABE staff who wish to sponsor local inservice projects, this handbook provides general information about ABE, adult education services and linkages,…

This guide is a resource both for organizing and for managing adult literacy programs. Based on the collective input and refinement of national leaders in adult basic education, the handbook provides coverage of program planning, staff development, student recruitment and retention, instructional approaches and techniques, instructional materials,…

These three learning guides comprise one of four packages in the Workplace Literacy Teacher Training series that provides information and skills necessary for the user to become a successful instructor in an effective workplace literacy program. The guides in this package look at the unique environment and culture involved in providing education…

This report summarizes the major literature dealing with the following major issues in adult basic education (ABE): target and demand populations (size, characteristics, and subgroups of the ABE population and the decline in participation); services provided (the purpose of the Adult Education Act, objectives and goals of ABE, problems of…