Findings of an analysis of National Adult Literacy Survey data do not entirely support differences in cognitive skills as explanations for minorities' lower earnings and employment, nor occupational preferences as explanations for women's lower earnings and employment. Labor market discrimination and residential segregation also play a substantial…

Describes a functional literacy program successfully carried out in a very remote district in the mountains of Nepal. Describes the program's successes in increasing literacy, self-confidence, community awareness, and social awareness among Nepali women. Discusses keys to this success. (SR)

Examines four "puzzling" results of the National Adult Literacy Survey: (1) the ability to use printed information effectively is unevenly distributed in the United States; (2) adults exhibited a large gap between performance and perception of literacy skills; (3) increased literacy did not always correspond with significant earnings…

Outlines optimistic and pessimistic views regarding the future nature of paid work. Discusses how trust (or social capital) is the missing link that forges connections between the economy, community, and economic markets. Discusses human and social capital as they relate to literacy and to employment. Offers reflections on these topics from people…

Examines literacy and work in a high-performance workplace: a factory in South Africa. Conducts the study where workers have secure jobs and are part of a globalised enterprise with a declared policy of empowering workers. Shows that the employees commonly experience their workplace as a highly stressful environment where new learning and…

Interviews of adult literacy learners were compared with depictions of learners as consumers in textbooks. Texts focused on learners' deficits and lack of knowledge, whereas learners viewed themselves as competent, capable consumers despite limited academic skills and income. (Contains 40 references.) (SK)

Describes a literacy program for adults with learning disabilities that consists of five modules: basic reading, spelling, writing; intermediate comprehension and vocabulary; comprehension and interpretation; intermediate writing; and intermediate spelling. Discuses screening, placement, core curriculum, multisensory and discovery learning, and…

Considers how a spiritual connection across age differences affects literacy education. Notes that the Bible is foremost among the texts adult basic literacy students want to read. Claims that being students of stories of faith and religion does not mean that educators become proselytizers or that they ignore the difference between public and…

The "Work First" environment demands the following tasks of literacy practitioners: designing programs for clients' specific needs; fostering collaborative relationships with agencies and employers; focusing on comprehensive outcomes; planning holistic curricula integrated with work, family, and community contexts; and providing continuous staff…

Using information and communications technology (ICT) with adult literacy and numeracy learners (open/flexible learning, Internet, electronic mail) enables adult learners to gain ICT skills that are increasingly necessary for employability and further education. (JOW)

Reviews evidence regarding the content, standards, and use validity of the International Adult Literacy Survey's performance scales and self-assessment scales. Concludes that there are serious questions about the performance scales and that self-assessment data may help identify adults who believe they have poor literacy skills. Suggests that…

What does it mean for a community writing assistance program to bridge the gap between the university and the community? What makes for a successful alliance between these two worlds usually considered distinct? Our paper addresses these questions by reflecting on the factors that have contributed to the growing success of our CWA program at the…

Judging by their literacy proficiency scores, Nordic countries stand out from others. Their consistently high scores are intriguing and make their populations interesting benchmarks for other countries that participated in the International Adult Literacy Survey. This article addresses the question of whether there are any specific…

This study examined the equivalency of computer and conventional versions of the Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES), a test of adult literacy skills in Reading Text, Document Use and Numeracy. Seventy-three college students completed the computer version, and their scores were compared with those who had taken the test in the conventional…

Through access to assistive technology, adult students with learning disabilities can improve their literacy skills and goal attainment as a supplement to regular adult basic education classes. This article describes a project that investigated whether increased engagement with text-to-speech and speech-recognition software could improve…