This paper presents a case and some ideas for integrating basic skills development with occupational training. Explaining why traditional instructional methods do not work in the workplace, the paper summarizes learning theories that support work force literacy programs. It explains how to identify the skills needed in the workplace, provides…

As the technology of the workplace changes, U.S. workers are called upon to have increasingly high workplace literacy skills in order to remain competitive. These skills encompass more than academic skills of reading and arithmetic; they involve complex applications of reasoning and problem-solving skills. In order to meet the need for workers…

This report contains 10 articles, written by national and state leaders in the adult literacy field, that pose challenges confronting the adult literacy system. The articles provide a framework for states to use in beginning the process of achieving a literate citizenry and work force. Titles and authors are as follows: "Building State Literacy…

A research study used trend analysis to examine case studies of 18 workplace literacy programs with a framework of good practice principles as a template to identify trends in practice. Each case study was examined using the nine components identified in the framework: program orientation, program evaluation, partnerships and participation,…

This publication is part of the study materials for the distance education course, Language and Literacies: Contexts and Challenges in the Workplace, in the Open Campus Program at Deakin University. The document traces the historical development of Australia's Workplace Basic Education Project (WBEP) model for taking literacy provision into the…

This document presents the text of a roundtable discussion on the topic of best practice in workplace literacy in which six individuals representing the following agencies/organizations participated: Ontario (Canada) Ministry of Education; City of York Board of Education; an employer in Markham, Ontario; a community literacy group in Ontario's…

The report describes results of interviews with 18 workplace literacy education providers across the United States. Respondents include program directors, curriculum writers, teacher trainers, teachers, and consultants to programs serving a range of learners. An introductory section summarizes study methodology, workplace literacy program types,…

This guide is designed as a tool for English and Welsh businesses wanting to provide basic skills training for their employees. It provides practical solutions to the problems of identifying employees' basic skills needs and selecting the best model of training delivery to address identified training needs. The introductory section discusses basic…

This book is a practitioner's guide to developing literacy training programs for workers. Titles of the 28 chapters and epilogue are as follows: "Understanding the History and Definitions of Workplace Literacy" (Askov, Aderman); "Understanding Literacy in the Canadian Business Context: Conference Board of Canada Study" (Hart);…

This manual was developed as a guide for setting up a workplace education program. Based on the Workplace Education Project (WEP) in Peterborough, Ontario, the manual contains nine chapters that provide details of the WEP and suggestions for implementing the process in other locations. The first chapter provides a rationale for a WEP program, and…

This guide, which is intended primarily for adult education practitioners in Virginia, explains the process of developing workplace basic skills programs. Presented first is background information on the guide's development. The following are among the topics discussed in the guide's seven chapters: the need for work force education (changes in…

This document is a summary of the proceedings of a symposium that was attended by more than 100 adult literacy practitioners, researchers, and government officials in Ontario (Canada). The largest part of the document consists of summaries of the issues and policy/program options discussed in relation to the following aspects of adult literacy…

The state of workplace literacy in the United States was reviewed, and future challenges facing workplace literacy programs given projected economic and demographic changes were examined. First, statistical information from 121 workplace literacy program reports entered into the ERIC database between 1990 and 1993 was synthesized in an analysis of…

An adult workplace program of literacy and basic skills is described and evaluated both for its effectiveness in the year 1992-93 and as a model for similar program efforts elsewhere. The evaluation addresses three specific program objectives: (1) establishment of a governance structure to assess actual workplace literacy requirements at the…

This document presents 13 papers that are intended to serve as a professional development resource for language, literacy, and numeracy practitioners and others involved in enterprise-based training provision in Australia and to provide a framework for evaluating workplace language, literacy, and numeracy programs. The following papers are…