These instructional units are intended to help limited English proficient students establish the solid foundation of reading skills that will enable them to make a transition from English as a Second Language programs to General Educational Development or community college classes. An introduction and information on use of the lessons discuss the…

A portrait of illiterates and literacy programs in the United States in the 1980s is derived from this summary of the most up-to-date, valid information that could be obtained from a literature review. The first section on adult illiterates identifies data sources, numbers of illiterates, and characteristics of the five main groups (the elderly,…

Government survey results reveal that large numbers of adults in the United States do not possess the minimal survival and life-coping skills necessary to function successfully in daily living. Since reading is the most basic of all life survival skills, a thematic reading that emphasized consumer survival was developed in the fall of 1977 at…

A reading curriculum for adult learners is described, offering guidelines for instruction at three levels of reading equivalency (nonreader to third grade, third through sixth grade, and sixth through ninth grade). The curriculum is designed to help adults develop skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and studying in the content areas. After…

TRENDS EVIDENT IN ADULT READING DURING THE 1960'S IN THE AREAS OF ADMINISTRATION, PROGRAMS, TEACHING, TECHNIQUES, RESEARCH PROJECTS, AND METHODS OF PROMOTION OF READING PROGRAMS ARE DISCUSSED. TWO INSTANCES OF COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION BASED ON INTENSE AND OFTEN FALLACIOUS ADVERTISING AND ON PUBLIC IGNORANCE ARE CITED. A POSITIVE TREND IN THE AREA…

Written for Spanish-speaking Puerto Rican agricultural workers, this course of study provides basic conversational concepts for those who have little or no acquaintance with English. Several important reasons for obtaining skill in the use of English are enumerated in the introductory paragraphs which are in Spanish. The text takes the student…

Statistics show that illiteracy in the United States is still a problem, particularly for adults over forty-five years of age. To test the effects of preferred-interest lessons on attendance in an adult reading program, a group of 20 adults received reading instruction by traditional teaching methods (large group arrangement and commercial…

In view of the fact that 13% of the 9, 13, and 17-year-old students in the United States have been found to be functionally illiterate in a national study, this booklet was produced by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to review efforts that have been undertaken to strengthen students' command of reading skills. Among the topics discussed are…

The functional content unit on health and medical care is part of a system developed for tutor training and support for adult literacy programs. A key component of the system is the Tutor Support Library, consisting of Instructional Concept Guides (designed as training and reference aids for tutors) and Functional Content Units (intended to help…

The intent of the Nevada project was to assess, redevelop, and rewrite basic elementary reading and mathematics curriculum materials. The reading and mathematics curriculum project was to be prepared for use with adults in basic education programs functioning under the Individually Prescribed Instructional (IPI) system. Over 8,000 skill page…

This volume contains the seventeen papers presented to the 1965, 1966, and 1967 annual meeting of the North Central Reading Association. The papers are grouped into four sections: Problems for the Reading Specialist, College Reading Programs and Instructional Techniques; Research on Reading; and the Emerging Junior College Program. Some of the…

The 1996-97 school year marked the third year of a 4-year grant from the Texas Education Agency's Division of Adult and Community Education for funding the ASPIRE/Even Start program operated by Communities In Schools-Central Texas Inc. (CIS). The broad purpose of Even Start is to help break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy in families by…

Following an introduction on "Taking Risks" (Martha Merson), this journal contains 11 articles on taking risks in teaching adult literacy, mostly by educators in the Boston area. The following are included: "My Dreams Are Bigger than My Fears Now" (Sharon Carey); "Making a Pitch for Poetry in ABE [Adult Basic…

Describes utilizing secondary students and college undergraduates of the United States to teach illiterate adults to read by returning their stories (oral history) to them in writing allowing literacy lessons on subjects known to the adult. (ERB)

Describes the effect of including literary works of interest to adults on a developmental reading course offered to incarcerated adults. Notes that proper phrasing and intonation were identified and emphasized as aids to comprehension. Discusses skills emphasized in the course. Reports that classroom discussions were lively and interesting. (RS)