Various projects implemented to combat illiteracy in the Third World are explored. Highlights include women's ability to exercise right to learn, adult illiteracy rates, World Literacy of Canada (WLC), the Nicaraguan literacy crusade, and a WLC development education program that encouraged Canadians to prepare materials in "plain…

The author explores why he believes the Adult Performance Level criteria, related objectives and the instructional strategies, and programs that follow from the objectives are unsupportable by any empirical evidence and detrimental to both individuals and society. (CT)

The author suggests that the specification of common literacy demands that are valid on the societal level, that is, which are applicable and meaningful to diverse adults living in diverse environments, is an impossible task. He further suggests that the development of a valid and uniform national curriculum for functional literacy is equally…

Rapid population growth, rising competition for resources, and increasing environmental deterioration are intertwined factors in the human predicament that feed political tensions and conflicts of the late twentieth century. Outlines dimensions of this predicament (including data on population, growth, military spending, quality of life, and…

The author suggests that a key concept of Marxist social theory--the mode of production--provides a useful analytical tool for a better understanding of the development of literacy in society (and thus furnishes the theoretical basis for an improved practice of adult literacy work). (Author/CT)

A personal visit by the author to Great Britain revealed a different approach to teaching literacy than commonly found in the United States. The British concept of literacy training placed a high value on the student's self-concept, on student responsibility, and on learner participation. (Author/CT)

The concept of content area reading (CAR) is introduced and implications are drawn for the teaching of reading in adult literacy and basic education programs. Included are (1) a definition of the concept, (2) background of reading-related problems, (3) practical approaches to functional reading instruction, and (4) the relationship between CAR and…

Describes a study conducted to determine how adults view literacy and themselves in relation to literacy. The authors concluded that programs for adults need to be built on the collective knowledge of scholars from many fields. They discuss the language experience approach and development of control over the visual dimensions of print. (CT)

Praises Peter Johnston's thoughtful, constructive use of the term dyslexia in his article that appeared in the May 1985, "Harvard Educational Review." (HOD)

Reviews literature on U.S. Office of Education-sponsored Adult Performance Level project that cites among its accomplishments (1) a model for competency-based education, (2) creation of national awareness of illiteracy, and (3) individualized programs. Among its insufficiencies are absence of reliable measures of validity, value-laden curriculum,…

This study used the naturalistic inquiry technique of personal interviews to investigate the exchange that exists between illiterate adults and their readers. A nonmonetary payment pattern in the form of a service exchange was uncovered. Case studies are used to illustrate major aspects of the exchange. (Author/CT)

Focuses upon the relationship between Paulo Freire's ideas and radical community education as a way of assessing the degree to which Freire's work may be applicable to western societies in general. (JOW)

Annotates 15 nonfiction books of interest to adults with fourth to tenth grade reading levels. Titles are arranged in five categories: biographies, self-development books, psychology, science, and education. (FL)

Author looks at some adult literacy work being done with gypsies. (Editor/RK)

This report describes the processes and findings of a north east Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA) research project. This was a collaborative research study, which followed from a similar, much larger project in the north west, which looked into how learners view their own progress and achievement in the acquisition of literacy and…