Intended for use by local education agencies and communities in developing and improving their literacy programs, this publication presents, in rating scale form, the elements that are essential in creating programs that are effective and comprehensive. The areas to be rated by the scale include leadership, community involvement, program…

The Iowa Adult Basic Education Assessment Study was conducted to document the qualities of excellence, accountability, and purpose that are present in Iowa's adult basic education (ABE) program. A six-step documentation procedure included creation of an ABE task force; submission of written assessment reports from ABE coordinators; development,…

The outcomes and impacts of adult literacy education in the United States were examined through a qualitative assessment of the pertinent research conducted since the late 1960s. A comprehensive literature search was used to identify; the most credible outcomes and impacts studies, and case studies were prepared for these. This document contains…

A sample of 24 community-based Right to Read projects, 13 serving in-school youth and 11 serving out-of-school adults, were evaluated in this study. The objectives were to measure improvement in reading achievement and to analyze the relationships between achievement and programs, staff, and student characteristics. Testing and data collection was…

The purpose of the Student Taught Adult Basic Literacy Efforts (STABLE) project was the involvement of adult illiterates, functional illiterates, and educational dropouts who do not take advantage of other educational and vocational training opportunities in basic education, using mature college students as teachers. Thirty students were trained…

The Criminal Justice Initiative (CJI) was conducted in Washington, D.C. from fiscal year 1984 through fiscal year 1986 to relieve overcrowded prison conditions by reducing the recidivism rate. Objectives of the project included hiring additional prison staff to provide security and increase prisoner processing, expanding the education program, and…

This guide was developed as a tool for group leaders to help people in their organizations participate in local discussions about literacy quality and evaluation in Ontario, Canada, as part of the Literacy Quality Standards and Evaluation Project. The guide is organized in seven sections that cover the following topics: definition of literacy;…

This guide for literacy tutors and educators provides basic information about people labeled as having an intellectual disability, along with practical teaching strategies and tips on designing inclusive literacy programs. It also raises questions to challenge assumptions and encourage program re-examination. The first four short chapters discuss…

This guide for literacy program managers and coordinators provides basic information about people labeled as having an intellectual disability and offers practical teaching strategies and tips on designing inclusive literacy programs. It also raises questions to encourage re-examination of programs. The first four short chapters are on: making the…

This document is intended to assist individuals responsible for completing the annual development plan required of all community-based adult literacy programs seeking funding from Manitoba's (Canada) Literacy and Continuing Education Branch. A sample development plan is presented to illustrate the initiative, reflection, and planning needed to…

This handbook was designed to assist adult basic education (ABE) program operators in developing and implementing programs responsive to local needs and resources. The handbook was prepared based on information gathered during a search of related literature, contributions of ABE practitioners, input from the project advisory committee, and the…

The Adult Armchair Education project (AAE) of the Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) in Philadelphia undertook instruction and skill development among the disadvantaged through learning groups in homes. Indigenous paid staff conducted direct, door-to-door recruitment. Classes, meeting once a week, 2 1/2 hours per session, for 10 weeks,…

Guidance for leaders of a volunteer group working to combat adult illiteracy in a given community is provided in practical detail. In Chapter 1, Problems of Illiteracy, the results of an interview poll with a sample population of Americans 16 years of age and older show that there are 21,000,000 adults in the United States whose skills are not…

The Horry County, South Carolina, Reading Crusade, a joint effort of the Literacy Council and the school district, was begun in 1979-80 with the intent of raising the literacy level of adults. The school district's Adult and Community Education Department provided office space, telephones, lab space, salaries, and mileage for the coordinators. The…

This guide was developed to provide local policymakers and program managers with an approach for using performance standards as a tool for reviewing and improving performance of Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) programs at the local level. The guide is keyed to the Program Year (PY) 1990 U.S. Department of Labor adjustment methodology for…