Identifies the immensity of the illiteracy problem, enumerates who are the functional illiterates, and explains what is being done by voluntary organizations such as Literacy Volunteers of America to eradicate it. Literacy Volunteers of New York City, the problem of financial support, and national awareness and progress are highlighted. (EJS)

Discussion of program established in 1977 by the Queens Borough Public Library and Literacy Volunteers of New York to combat the problem of adult illiteracy notes recruitment, training and retention of tutors, student intake procedure, cooperation with community organizations, special programs (math, writing, adult basic education), and program…

Discusses three types of low ability students--the beginner, the low-ability student at other levels, and the static student. Suggests methods of helping the low ability student in the ESL classroom. (EKN)

Describes the program, initiated in 1980, to improve national literacy in Nicaragua by sending student volunteers to the countryside and adult volunteers to the urban slums as teachers. (Condensed from "Interracial Books for Children Bulletin," No. 2, 1981, p3-7.) (Editor/SJL)

Calls for public library cooperation to meet the needs of the 10 to 20 million adults in the U.S. who cannot read. It is suggested that, in light of declining budgets, the appropriate special collections and services be made available only at certain designated libraries or branches within a system. (LLS)

Researchers reanalyzed the original Adult Performance Level Test survey data for the test's validity and reliability, and they concluded that (1) the test is not content valid because it assumes that functional competence can be logically defined and adult success accurately measured; and (2) the test is a valid measure of verbal, writing, and…

The Tanzanian government has made a major commitment to its National Literacy Programme as a strategy for national development. Goals of the program are the eradication of illiteracy, self-reliance in solving economic and social problems, and lifelong education. To deal effectively with the problem of learner motivation, the program links literacy…

Examines the participation of Blacks, Anglos, and Mexican Americans in adult basic education programs in Texas in terms of two opposing views which attribute poverty to the debilitating cultural characteristics of the poor or to the powerless position of the poor in an exploitative social structure. (Author/MK)

Proposes a way in which industrial arts can make a substantial contribution to meeting the needs of adults. Elements of this model include providing cluster laboratories, occupational and technical preparation, basic education, and recreation and leisure activities. (CT)

Describes a model for the selection of instructional materials for adult basic education programs. Reviews the model's seven stages: identifying learner problems; defining objectives; prescribing learning experiences; selecting instructional materials; selecting appropriate deliveries; evaluating and planning improvements; and reorganizing,…

The author discusses factors inhibiting adult literacy in India, stating that institutional schooling has provided education for only a small percentage of the population. As an adult literacy curriculum depends on community needs, he suggests a core or minimum curriculum for adult basic education in the community. (MF)

A survey of coordinators of tutoring in English for speakers of other languages in New Zealand revealed some advantages to the switch to direct government funding (improved standards, accountability). Disadvantages included the possibility of changing the culture to suit funding requirements and endangering the focus on learner needs. (SK)

A study compared results of an informal test of word recognition and a qualitative assessment of word knowledge with 32 adult basic education students. Results showed that adult spelling development is similar to that in children. The spelling-by-stage assessment instrument may be a useful substitute for word recognition tests. (SK)

A Job Training Partnership Act-funded reading, writing, mathematics, and cooperative learning program for 83 participants aged 14-21 was evaluated with pre- and postassessments. Program strengths identified were emphasis on a workplace atmosphere, structure with flexibility, variety in grouping procedures, computer-assisted writing, and outside…

Using interviews provides insights into the lives of two groups of low-literate adults, in order to better understand the high attrition rate in adult literacy programs. Identifies ideology, conviction, and structural/environmental support as significant factors which are determiners of continued participation in such programs. Clarity in program…