Examines adults in postliteracy programs in Northern Tanzania, focusing on reading and writing abilities after five years of training; the role of radio, rural newspapers, and libraries in literacy; and adults' interest in postliteracy materials. Points to the continuing importance of the oral tradition and lack of adequate reading material as…

Describes a basic literacy program developed by the Spanish Women's Institute to lower the number of illiterate women in Spain and encourage women lacking basic educational skills to participate in the existing educational system. Explains the program's "New Approach" teaching materials, which teach women to read and write while…

The Even Start project in the Poudre (Colorado) School District involves a learning center where parents receive literacy instruction and are trained to become partners in their children's education. The program features separate parent and child activities, group activities, home visits from family monitors, field trips, and support groups. (SK)

Describes a workplace literacy project in Canada that trains "literate" workers to tutor their "illiterate" co-workers. Employers were beginning to realize that literacy training could increase production and decrease industrial accidents. Attitudes of employees toward the program are correlated to the attitude and interest of…

Reports on the first New York Literacy Vision Screening, which investigated whether illiterate adults enrolled in illiteracy programs might have undetected visual problems that were interfering with their quest for literacy. Finds a startling 66 percent with vision problems. (SR)

Describes teaching a class called "Children and Books" to a group of pregnant and parenting high school students. Shows how using children's books taught these teen mothers about the value of reading to their own children and provided an opportunity for intense discussion addressing a wide range of personal issues. (SR)

Interviews with 200 Nigerian students and 40 teachers revealed that parental illiteracy, pupils' perceived irrelevance of school curriculum, and poor teacher-student relationships were significantly associated with truancy. However, measures taken by the schools included administration of punishment and consultation with disaffected pupils. (32…

Presents a rationale for utilizing picture books in adult literacy programs along with book selection criteria and suggested titles for use with emerging literate adults. (NH)

The whole-language approach is discussed as a perspective-in-practice anchored in a vision of a equitable, diverse society. (Contains four references.) (LB)

Argues that metaphor, as it thrives in fiction and poetry, is relevant and even essential, to adult-literacy theory and practice. Argues that the concrete poetic images, metaphors, and stories literacy educators learn from students should help shape their theoretical discussions of adult literacy; and likewise, once learned, these should be the…

Discusses the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s: the context of the time, its educational programs, instruction, teachers, and how it handled the problem of illiteracy. Examines whether this kind of program would work in the 1990s, concluding that many of the programs components would transfer well to the present. (SR)

Discusses Paulo Freire and his influence on the perspective and application of literacy programming and interdisciplinary education through the arts. Argues that Freire's pedagogical philosophy and application illustrates the value he placed on education through life experiences, the arts, and cultures of the people. (DSK)

The director of the Queens Borough Public Library (Jamaica, New York) examines the role of the public library in helping to prevent illiteracy and discusses innovative ways libraries can serve adult readers and learners, using the Queens model as an example. Includes a sidebar by Audrey Gorman "Toward a New Definition of Literacy." (AEF)

Analyzes the perspectives of college student-tutors as they begin to understand their work with less literate adults. Reveals that the tutors' attention was in discovering how they learn best as a base for considering the learning of others, negotiating a role with adult learners, and identifying their relation to the "haves" and "have-nots." (CMK)

Presents an overview of preservice volunteer training at READ/San Diego, an adult literacy program. It discusses the program's informal assessment procedures that help identify possible language/learning disabilities and provide valuable information for instructional planning. Also described are selected multisensory teaching techniques designed…