Discusses the current situation (along with changes and specific developments over the past 13 years) in France regarding illiteracy. Describes the beginnings of the struggle against illiteracy and poverty; the organization of literacy work; the move from literacy to basic education; the future for literacy work in France; and the lack of…

Examines the logic and rhetoric of E. D. Hirsch, Jr., in "Cultural Literacy." Attempts to answer the question of how intellectual failure guarantees success in the marketplace. Concludes with an alternative vision of the American society that Hirsch describes and the suggestion that Hirsch's cultural literacy is cross-cultural…

Discusses an apparent paradox: illiterate people who take part in the process of producing and consuming literature. States that this supposed incongruence leads to an investigation of both pamphlet and "Cordel" literature (native to the northeastern part of Brazil). (PA)

Numerous definitions of literacy have been advanced by policy-makers, politicians, academics, teachers and others over the years. It is not always easy, however, to know how one definition might relate to another or differ from it. This paper offers a framework, based on the work of the educational philosopher Israel Scheffler, for identifying and…

Subtractive education through the medium of a dominant language often transfers Indigenous and minority (IM) children to the dominant group linguistically and culturally within one or two generations. It may lead to the extinction of Indigenous languages, thus contributing to the disappearance of the world's linguistic diversity. A partial result…

This paper explores the distinction between "secular" and "Koranic" schooling and literacy in South Asia. It begins by tracing an archaeology of the distinction between secular "literacy" and religious "illiteracy". It locates the emergence of the distinction in the colonial census of the 19th century, in…

Contained in this document are extracts from an address by the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization at the International Conference on Human Rights organized at Teheran by the United Nations; a paper presented at the World Assembly for Human Rights (Montreal, 22-27 March 1968); and the text of…

Considers motivations of adult illiterates involved in literacy programs, and gives examples of available programs. Describes difficulties, frustrations, and rewards for individuals completing such programs. Includes an estimate of the size of the adult literacy problem. (DHP)

This article asks "How literate do workers need to be?" and suggests such measures as the widespread use of technical materials written in "plain language" and employers' offering job-related reading programs. (JB)

While finding that the need for literacy and coordinated cooperation between developing countries, international organizations, and "donor" agencies is imperative, the author finds that abolishing illiteracy is possible only in the context of eradicating hunger, poverty, and oppression; the priorities are elsewhere. (SK)

This paper describes current phases of two research projects: a completed one in southern Appalachia and another one to begin in North Dakota. The paper explains that the Appalachian project investigated the effects the widespread stereotype of Appalachian illiteracy has had on Appalachian literacy learners; while the North Dakota study is going…

A pilot project in work-oriented literacy among adults was introduced in Ethiopia in 1968. Four industries in different locations were selected for the program. Planning, implementation, objectives, and results to date are reviewed. A list of materials produced is appended. (MS)

The urgency of the illiteracy problem, the need for meaningful certification criteria and some ideals to be aimed at for Adult Basic Education programs are outlined in the form of a six-article Bill of Rights. (MS)

Resolutions passed at the 25th All India Adult Education Conference of the Indian Adult Education Association, Bombay, India, October 30 to November 3, 1972. (DS)

Article, condensed from the NEA Research Bulletin, describes the magnitude of the world literacy problem. (MB)