This paper describes seven ideas that would help a literacy program work well. Some examples are given to show how each idea could be used in different parts of a literacy program. Some questions are also listed that could stimulate discussion about each idea. The seven quality guidelines or ideas are as follows: (1) community focus--a good…

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…

Noting that the popular press and other media have purveyed much information and misinformation about the status of adult literacy in the United States, this paper focuses upon what is known about literacy levels and gives special attention to changes in literacy demands and to what is currently being done to meet those demands. The first section…

A survey of 42 Massachusetts workplace literacy programs was conducted in fall 1989 to determine whether the programs generally fit a standard definition of workplace literacy derived from "A Guide to Developing Instruction for Workforce Literacy Programs" by Jorie W. Philippi. The study's seven-item questionnaire included the definition…

In the 1985-86 academic year, progress was made in increasing the availability of adult basic education (ABE) programs throughout Pennsylvania and in reducing both the overall rate of premature program separation and the rate of enrollees who dropped out of the program before meeting their personal objective. Demographic characteristics of the…

Nine industry-based adult literacy programs across the country were studied to identify exemplary training programs and practices that business and industry trainers, planners, and policymakers and individuals in the public education sector alike could replicate in designing adult literacy programs. Training programs offered by the following…

Intended for use by literacy workers, teacher trainers, and program developers and directors, this annotated bibliography brings together the most current writings about adult literacy education available in journals, books, and ERIC documents. The entries are arranged into five sections: (1) the state of adult literacy, both in the United States…

A study confirmed that Laubach Literacy Action (LLA) and Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) remain the primary national providers of volunteer-based literacy instruction. Both organizations provide basic literacy instruction and beginning instruction in English as a Second Language on a one-to-one or small-group basis by tutors. Each…

The Appalachia Educational Laboratory (AEL) contracted with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to seek information on the presence, operation, and impact of adult learning programs within the 13-state Appalachian Region. Literacy was defined on a program operation base, possible programs were listed, and program descriptions were obtained…

A study examined basic skills programs at 21 Illinois companies. Most of the top managers interviewed recognized the basic skills training needs of their work forces; however, only 14 of the companies actually offered workplace basic skills programs. Three major motivating factors were identified as catalysts for beginning a program: a drive for…

Emphasizes that since adults seek basic reading instruction for a variety of reasons (e.g., to further job status, to improve skills for their children's sake), planning programs should provide theory-based instruction that focuses on learner needs. (NKA)

Although the National Workplace Literacy Program is relatively new, a new orthodoxy of program development based on particular understandings of literacy and learning has emerged. Descriptions of two model workplace education programs are the beginning points for an examination of the assumptions contained in most reports of workplace education…

This report contains summaries of case studies of five literacy projects for women conducted under the auspices of Wider Opportunities for Women's Female Single Parent Literacy Project. The programs described in the case studies are the following: (1) Non-Traditional Employment for Women, New York City; (2) Access for Women: Expanding Options for…

Interviews were conducted with 4 members of the Task Force of the Adult Beginning Reader Project, 6 program officials, and 13 heads of adult basic education (ABE) programs; site visits were made to two ongoing ABE programs; and the literature pertaining to adult literacy programs in this country was reviewed in order to identify factors associated…

Since its beginning in 1965, the Job Corps has enrolled more than a million impoverished and undereducated 16- to 21-year-olds in an intensive program of re-education and job skills training. The Job Corps' basic education program uses the systems approach to instruction in reading, mathematics, and high school equivalency subjects; and…