Describes an investigation that showed that abbreviations in classified ads are difficult to comprehend and suggests that instruction be given in understanding abbreviations as a real life reading skill. (MKM)

Refutes six arguments commonly used to discredit remedial teaching of decoding skills to young adults in order to motivate both researchers and teachers to reexamine the role of decoding skills in reading in the upper grades and beyond. (SKC)

Prompted by concern that the State of New Jersey driver's manual was too difficult for many low-skilled readers to read and comprehend, a study was conducted in which chapter 6 of the driver's manual was rewritten, lowering its readability level from grade 8 to grade 6. It was hypothesized that significant differences in comprehension would result…

Examines two features that the "Philadelphia Daily News" has employed on behalf of Philadelphia's adult literacy campaign, (1) "The Savvy Reader," a column which reports news stories to lower level readers, and (2) "Fresh Start," a nine-week series designed to give adults daily practice toward the Grade Equivalency…

Points to the need to teach children the reading skills they require in their present lives. Lists information-finding skills and critical reading skills children need, based on an informal survey of children's reading, and suggests ways of teaching the skills. (GT)

Details a study indicating that the minimal level of literacy necessary for adults in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is very high. Provides a master list of vocabulary words, symbols, numbers, abbreviations, computational skills, and writing skills needed for functional literacy. (MKM)