An evaluation of dropout rates in an adult basic education agency evolved into a process of critical thinking about program philosophy and function. Although philosophical differences emerged regarding organizational goals, teacher and learner roles, and curriculum, the critical evaluation process resulted in individual and collective growth in…

Illiterate people are stigmatized by myths such as failed lives, poor self-concept, and the equation of poverty with illiteracy. Illiterate people respond to stigma by "passing" and "covering"; the stigma of association affects adult literacy education. (SK)

Family literacy programs are a collaborative effort of adult basic education, early childhood/elementary education, and parent education. The key factor is parent education, focusing on application and generalization of learned skills to family life and providing services to minimize barriers to participation. (SK)

A longitudinal study of 162 New York Adult Literacy Initiative students found that 97% were satisfied, felt the learning environment was supportive, and felt the teacher's attitude was critical. Retention suggestions were to use daily living experiences and challenging curricula, broaden the curriculum for men's interests, and attend to safety and…

Responses from 427 adult basic education teachers (51 percent response) indicated that (1) 84.8 percent use tests for placement; (2) the Tests of Adult Basic Education are overwhelmingly the most frequently used; and (3) 77.7 percent find their testing practices effective, although informal observation and assessment received the highest ranking.…

An experimental module that used the natural world as a context for teaching reading to adults with low reading skills was developed and tested with 18 inmates. Although participants demonstrated only modest gains in reading skills and behaviors compared to the control group, they attended many more hours of instruction and were more enthusiastic…

Two literacy initiatives (immigrant education in the early 1900s and citizenship schools at Highlander, 1953-61) suggest a core strategy for accommodating cultural pluralism in adult literacy: considering the distinct sociocultural and political dynamics that affect the educational environment for excluded groups. (SK)

A community association in Wales offered an adult course in word and number power that included individual action plans, paired learning, and continual assessment of progress. Emphasis on the use of information technology proved popular and increased participants' confidence and self-esteem. (SK)

Content analysis of five consumer education workbooks used in adult literacy classes examined depictions of the market and literacy learners as consumers. A hidden curriculum that promotes ideologies disrespectful of learners was discerned. The ideologies maintain inequalities by blaming financial failure on consumers, ignoring the larger social,…

Interviews with stakeholders in an adult literacy program for university employees (instructor, program director, 17 of 34 employees, 11 of 20 supervisors) showed similar perceptions of improvement in skill, confidence, and self-esteem, participation in decision making, and involvement in lifelong learning. Better communication between supervisors…

Examines the temporal processing deficit hypothesis. Administers a comprehensive battery to reading disabled adults and elementary students (reading-level controls). Finds that the timing tasks shared little variance with phonological sensitivity and contribute little unique variance to word reading. Provides evidence for the involvement of naming…

Discusses how a program designed to teach children and youth to read was used in two classes for adults. Presents an explanation and description of the implementation, reports of learner progress, and the perceptions of the participants. Concludes that despite poor testing outcomes, the learners, instructors, and administrators believed in the…

Describes the Fatherhood Responsibility Program of the Urban League of Greater Madison Wisconsin and explores its relevance for the learning context, process, process, and experience as they relate to noncustodial fathers in fatherhood programs. (SLD)

Discusses perceived shortcomings of current family literacy program models that too often: are conceived and implemented as a compensatory model; target only one child and one parent; do not effectively integrate adult education, literacy/ESL, or parent-child interaction time into programing; and that have a radically unstable funding base.…

Interviews, surveys, and journal entries were used to examine 41 teachers' and 6 teacher trainees' experiences with educational technology. About 91% experienced perspective transformation, most frequently through hands-on experience, discussion, and reflection. The most significant outcome was the way confidence in technology use empowered them…