Three possible directions for literacy research in the United Kingdom (UK), in terms of three comparative perspectives are (1) cross-cultural, (2) academic/practitioner, and (3) adult/school. Walter Ong's argument that with the advent of writing human consciousness and ways of thinking were altered fundamentally, underlies many of the claims for…

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…

This guide provides materials to help adult educators in organizing and developing volunteer literacy programs for the functionally illiterate adult. Introductory materials include a brief history of the Volunteer Adult Reading Program (VARP) and the philosophy and rationale of the program. A list of questions and answers follows that are intended…

An educated, skilled, flexible work force will be the key to southern economic development. The South must have workers better equipped to learn modern, ever-changing work skills. The lack of these skills prevents the region from achieving the productivity gains that it could otherwise accomplish. There is a growing interest on the part of…

This document examines the activities and resource needs of local basic skills programs; examines the major national organizations that lead, coordinate, and provide technical assistance to local providers; suggests how new organizations can assist and support the delivery of adult literacy services; and recommends public and private sector action…

This document takes a comprehensive look at the resources, problems, and needs of the literacy field and focuses on the long-term requirements for expanding literacy services and ensuring high quality instruction in the United States. (A major conclusion is that the present system, with proper funding and other resources, has the capacity to…

Intended for trainers of literacy providers and practitioners in the field, this manual explains how to develop a workplace literacy program and market it to employers. Chapter 1 provides an overview and history of workplace literacy and recommends improvements in literacy services. Chapter 2 examines approaches to developing workplace programs,…

There is no one structural model that defines the construct functional literacy. However, acceptable construct definitions in the literature cumulatively form some beginnings for a nomological network that relates functional literacy to the level of skills deemed necessary for survival in society. In the study, two different validation…

The paper examines the role of adult education and the contribution it can make to the solution of current problems in developing countries, particularly the problems of economic under-development and over-population. (Author/AG)

Ten literacy pilot programs developed by the Adult Basic Education Society (ABES) of Pakistan in Gujranwala, Pakistan, between 1963 and 1973 were analyzed and evaluated to evolve a series of adult literacy program development guidelines. The programs were evaluated on the basis of an eleven-category evaluation system developed by Cyril Houle in…

This paper asserts that the reason so many high school graduates are functionally illiterate may be that the form of economic organization in the United States does not sufficiently value or make use of intelligence. The paper reviews studies that report both the decline in general knowledge of high school graduates and the promotion of programs…

Teachers are faced with the problem of needing to do a better job of teaching the basics and the astrobasics (those skills needed to understand and respond to the complex bureaucratic demands of the space age, especially reading and filling in such forms as those required for class registration, student loans, and income tax preparation). At least…

Emphasis on adult literacy education in the United States began in the first decade of the twentieth century, which was characterized by heavy immigration from countries whose populations were not uniformly educated. Special attention was paid to adult literacy during times of crisis such as World War I and II when it was learned that many adults…

A basic consideration in selecting teachers of adult nonreaders should be the characteristics of the adult nonreader. While training and experience are essential, the most desirable characteristics of the effective teacher do not necessarily require degrees, certificates, or coursework. An awareness of the adult nonreader's attitudes,…

The purpose of the 1973 Pilot Literacy Project (Victoria, Australia) was to explore the nature of the problem of nonmigrant adults who had attended school but who considered themselves illiterate or functionally illiterate, to discover what sort of people were illiterate and to what extent, and to examine home influences and educational…