An adult basic education curriculum is presented, designed to raise the competencies of adults in the basic areas of oral and written communications, arithmetic, social sciences, occupational planning (including development of occupational concepts and attitudes) and development of self. Basic area skills and activities are presented in three…

Thirty adult, male, black students participated in a study of the effect of debate about textual issues on critical thinking and reading comprehension. Students were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups, each of which was involved in 24 two-hour sessions of reading instruction. The control group used a traditional textbook…

This paper analyzes what is meant by basic education. The author presents six principal usages of the term that are based on the kinds of education offered and their purposes rather than on whether they take place in or out of school. Examples of the six usages are given. Variations in terminology are generally more than purely semantic or…

In describing basic education for the peasants of developing nations, this article argues that such education serves only the needs of foreign capital; suggests new educational policies to serve the interests of the people; and emphasizes that such reform is possible only when state power is transfered to the proletariat. (JK)

Describes impressions of Cuba and its education system eighteen years after the Revolution, from a trip by students and teachers mostly from Florida State University (Tallahassee). Cuba emphasizes adult education, both basic and continuing. Through an intensive campaign the literacy rate was raised to and remains at 96.1 percent. (MF)

The keynote address at the 1976 Farnham (England) Conference on the European Bureau of Adult Education examines educational needs of the "forgotten people": those who need basic education; those living in areas of multiple deprivation, especially in cities; workers, especially in factories; and immigrants or migrant workers. Some current trends in…

Examines the following issues: Options of and barriers to professionalizing the adult basic education (ABE) position, gaining status and respectability in the university and college environment, making ABE a viable part of the adult education program, and future role of the professor in ABE. (Author/SH)

The author, an adult educator, evaluates the Tanzanian literacy campaign in terms of the personal and qualitative effects of literacy on eight representative new literates through the participants' own perceptions, using the anthropocentric approach based on the dialog method. (MF)

The author discusses current uses of computers in adult basic skills instruction. Compares three primary systems available for purchase in adult literacy instruction: (1) Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching Operations (PLATO), (2) Computer Curriculum Corporation (CCC), and (3) Principle of the Alphabet Literacy System (PALS). Presents…

Describes current research being done on literacy and discusses reasons behind the varied estimates of adult literacy rates. Presents several case studies of adults who are currently or have been in reading programs, particularly older adults. Describes the work of major literacy education providers. (CH)

Describes (1) an activity in which students act out a courtroom drama involving their favorite literary characters; and (2) an activity in which older remedial readers improvise short plays of dramatic conflict based on stories they have read, tape record them, and then edit the transcripts. (ARH)

Although the literacy and related competencies required in skilled and semiskilled occupations are far more complex than the term "functional" implies, only marginal literacy competencies may be required for success on the job. Recommendations to adult basic education teachers include guidelines for preparing students for success in the workplace.…

Offers overview of reasons why libraries may choose to begin volunteer literacy program in their communities and the design and evaluation methodology that will enable them to make successful evaluation of programs. Highlights include soul-searching questions, planning guidelines and suggestions, and delineation of responsibilities (library staff,…

This article presents exploratory research on the profile characteristics of a selected sample of Texas adult basic education instructors who worked with older learners of age 45 and above and of their perceptions of preference, capabilities, and instructional concerns in serving this older adult population. (Author/CT)

Examines a number of data-based programs that have used computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in a specific area of adult education, adult basic education, and general education development. The findings of most of the studies range from "no significant differences" to CAI's being superior to "traditional only" methods. (CT)