Review of 23 studies on the effectiveness of computers in adult literacy and basic education indicated that just under half found statistically significant improvements in reading scores. Many studies evidenced design flaws, lacked clear descriptions of the research, or were hampered by classroom-related difficulties. (Contains 31 references.) (SK)

Suggests that action research provides ownership and often results in a sense of efficacy by engaging practitioners in the change process. Describes the practitioner-based movement in professional development and program improvement in Pennsylvania. (JOW)

One of the Millennium Development Goals declared by the United Nations in 2000 was to reduce by half the population of people living in extreme poverty, by 2015. Adult education can and should contribute significantly to this development goal. Nevertheless it has hardly been explored so far in the national Poverty Reduction Strategies Papers. In…

Adult learners of English as a second language who speak Chinese (n = 30), Japanese (n = 28) or Spanish (n = 46) as a first language (L1), and a comparison group of native speakers (n = 22) read sentences that contain: (a) ungrammatical "wh"-extractions that violate island constraints; and (b) grammatical long-distance Subject and Object…

This article highlights a five-year project known as Enhancing "Skills for Life": Adult Basic Skills and Workplace Learning which focuses on what workplace basic skills programmes "do" work, when and by what means. A research team headed by Alison Wolf will assess the impact of workplace basic skills programmes on employers and…

Current accountability policy that bases assessment on validity and reliability criteria in the positivist research tradition is counterproductive to serving adult learners and their communities. In this article, we outline a framework for accountability that allows for the emergence and demonstration of the full range of program outcomes and…

This study explores an holistic approach to family-literacy (FL) programs at community colleges by analyzing federal legislation for the William F. Goodling Even Start Family Literacy Programs. Exemplary state-level programs that incorporate the Even Start Family Literacy Programs into their community college's Adult Basic Education (ABE)…

In recent years, American community colleges have evolved as the missions facing them expanded and their constituencies changed. No longer is their role solely to prepare students to transfer to four-year institutions and to provide occupational training. Now, they must also provide basic adult education, including ESL, and serve an economic…

The English "Skills for Life" strategy symbolises the prominent place that adult basic skills have claimed in education and training policy in England since the beginning of this century. The strategy aims to improve the skills of a large number of learners over a ten year period (2001-2010). This paper explores what we can learn about…

The state of adult literacy programs, including the Chicago Public Library Literacy Initiative, is described. After the Vietnam War, Congress passed adult education legislation, and Laubach Literacy Action and Literacy Volunteers of America became the nation's largest network of literacy providers. These and other literacy programs have problems:…

This bibliography provides information about the Adult and Continuing Education Research Collection at Syracuse University. The citations are categorized as follows: (1) descriptions of adult and continuing education research collection (6 items); (2) aids to access to adult and continuing education research collection (3 items); (3) materials in…

An evaluation model for workplace literacy programs was developed and applied at two industrial plants. Development of the model included a literature review and consultation with plant managers. The model included interviews, questionnaires, Cloze tests, class observation, plant-gathered productivity indexes, and supervisor ratings. The…

A project in British Columbia, Canada, explored a deeper understanding of what it would be like to become literate and probed how that experience related to the life of the educator. The phenomenological study began with a literature search. It focused on and explored the stories of three adult learners, using the journals of two and extrapolating…

This manual is designed to guide literacy providers through the process of producing a book of writings by their adult literacy students. The book is organized in seven chapters. Chapter 1 advocates the value of writing and provides a rationale for a book of writing by literacy students. Chapter 2 provides details of a workshop to be conducted to…

Two bibliographies that review 18 books and resource materials that adult educators can use to teach mathematics in adult literacy classes are included. The materials are suggested to help teachers implement an effective, successful mathematics program, using many of the strategies recommended by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.…