Review of Quigley's "Rethinking Literacy Education" (1997) identifies areas of ambivalence over whether a vision for adult literacy education can be achieved. Themes include the social view of illiteracy, "happy consciousness," attrition and resistance, and action research. (SK)

A manufacturing company's employees were given basic-skills classes. Company records and Tests of Adult Basic Education results before and after instruction demonstrated that the classes increased productivity and improved job performance of participants compared to a control group. (SK)

Suggests that adult basic skills programs may be ineffective for developing the kinds of literacy proficiencies assessed by the National Adult Literacy Survey--reading and understanding prose and documents materials and texts containing quantitative information. Discusses why basic skills education may not lead to improved literacy skills. Offers…

A workplace literacy program provided instruction in prose, document, and quantitative (PDQ) dimensions of literacy to 50 female high school dropouts. Only 20% completed the program; they made meaningful gains in the quantitative and document dimensions, but not prose. (SK)

Principles of Adult Learning Scale was administered to 12 adult basic education teachers and 189 General Educational Development (GED) students at a technical school. Learning style appeared to change with age and experience. Although congruent teaching and learning styles usually improve achievement, educational purpose, such as GED completion,…

Using computer-assisted learning to deliver math instruction for General Educational Development (GED) students would increase achievement through individuation and free class time for developing critical-thinking skills. This would maximize the part-time experience of GED students. (SK)

Analysis of data from a random sample of 989 of 2,473 General Educational Development (GED) graduates in Pennsylvania, 1975-1994, showed that the GED contributed positively to employment, income, pursuit of further education, and personal well-being. Graduates strongly endorsed adult basic education/GED classes and their teachers for effective…

Case studies of six adult literacy students revealed that overt literacy action--conscious effort to use new skills in authentic situations--was a key element in learner success. Most of the overt actions took the form of writing rather than reading. (SK)

Advice from a teacher of reading via audiotapes includes the following: encourage positive attitudes, explain the purpose of activities, provide models, use relevant texts, encourage chunking, provide cues for prediction, and use humor where appropriate. (SK)

The issue of integrating technology into adult literacy programs would benefit from the implementation of a curriculum deliberation process that includes perspectives of practitioners, learners, subject matter experts, and milieus. This would ensure the development of coherent curricula, with the key consideration being the efficacy of computers…

Literacy education in Wheatfield Prison uses individualized, participatory, holistic approaches focused on personal development. The curriculum features language experience, extension of literacy skills with information technology, and creative arts. Forty percent of education participants take literacy classes; 40% of literacy students achieve…

The following principles of systemic reform can guide improved services for inmates with learning disabilities: (1) involve all stakeholders in creating a shared vision and action plan; (2) enlist administrative support; (3) provide meaningful, ongoing professional development; (4) identify resources; and (5) monitor and improve the change…

Reflects on 25 years of adult basic education in Britain, finding progress in understanding the nature of adult learning needs, the conceptualization of literacy, teacher preparation, and educational opportunities. Identifies challenges in motivating adults to participate and improving the effectiveness of basic skills provision. (SK)

Hamilton's critique of the National Federation for Educational Research (NFER) study, Progress in Adult Literacy, addresses the conceptualization of literacy, flaws in the research design, school-oriented focus, and validity and reliability of tests used; she suggests a research strategy. Brooks summarizes NFER's response. (SK)

Replicating an Indiana study, 261 responses from British Columbia adult educators revealed a high degree of support for codes of ethics and identified ethical dilemmas in practice. Half currently operated under a code. Responses to whether codes should have a regulatory function were mixed. (Contains 44 references.) (SK)