THE 5,000 WORD FUNCTIONAL READING WORD LIST, COMPILED TO REFLECT THE PRESENT AND IMMEDIATE FUTURE READING NEEDS OF THE AVERAGE ILLITERATE AMERICAN ADULT, EMPLOYS BASIC WORDS GATHERED FROM SUCH SOURCES AS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAMPHLETS, MENUS, NEWSPAPERS, COMIC BOOKS, APPLICATION BLANKS, AND RELIGIOUS TRACTS. THE LIST IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR PARTS--THE…

This report presents information on the extent of illiteracy among American youths as assessed by a test specially constructed for this purpose and administered as part of the Health Examination Survey during 1966-70. The test consisted of two parts, one focusing on reading ability and a second one on writing. For the purposes of this report, if a…

Reading is the key to learning. Without basic reading skills, the individual is shut out of society in many ways. Illiteracy lowers his chances of employment, limits his knowledge in politics and current events, and limits his success in school. As all of these things affect the nonreading individual, so does his lack of productivity and lack of…

A digest of findings from a national survey by Louis Harris and Associates of adult reading skills comprises this edition of Adult Reading Development, a publication of the National Reading Center. The study measured the ability of adults to respond to practical real-life situations such as reading direct-dial instructions in a telephone directory…

An experimental design with experimental and control groups was used to evaluate the effect of a diagnostic structured kindergarten program upon the predicted reading levels of low income area children. The effect was compared with the effect of the traditional kindergarten program. The effects of the two curricula upon the total group of children…

This report analyzes the initial results of UNESCO's Experimental World Literacy Programme and makes recommendations for future action. The meaning of functional literacy is discussed, and pilot projects in twelve countries are briefly described. The analysis reveals that the programme has fallen seriously behind schedule, that the number of adult…

Several categories of the Greek population were and have remained "educationally deprived" because the educational system continues to push them to one side. The author discusses how reform legislation will raise Greece's educational standards, but continues to avoid the educational growth of these segments of Greek society. (Author/RK)

India's National Adult Education Program ( NAEP), which focuses on the needs of illiterate adults in the 15-35 age group, is described with particular attention given to the importance of improving occupational skills and raising the level of awareness regarding the predicament of the poor and illiterate. (LBH)

The article, written in Spanish, gives examples of the Barrio Education Project's work in San Antonio and poses some serious questions about the importance of Spanish for the Hispanic community. Illiteracy, or "functional illiteracy" is a growing problem in the U.S. among all sectors of the population--English- and Spanish-speaking.…

If colleges are to be relevant to the needs of India, they must plan and implement programs of direct benefit to the community and thus contribute to the nation's resolve to extend adult education programs within the next five years to combat illiteracy. (LBH)

From 1910 to 1930, illiteracy rates among Alabama's Black population decreased. Yet it is doubtful that the State's literacy campaign was a major contributor to the decline in Black illiteracy; the campaign was closely tied to the White supremacy movement, and most of the funds were directed toward White education. (GC)

Defines functional illiteracy and offers statistics on the prevalence of illiteracy among various groups in the United States. Advocates a central role for community colleges in linking programs and resources addressing illiteracy, acknowledging constraints limiting the colleges' ability to combat the problem. (DMM)

Identifies noninstructional conditions leading to semiliterate high school graduates, including the inaccessibility of books, lack of time to read, lack of readers as role models, and barriers within the curriculum and school structure. Argues that educational reforms emphasizing only instruction are unlikely to change these conditions. (DMM)

Describes the Chinese effort to eliminate adult illiteracy. The author discusses purposes of adult education, history of adult literacy education, adult illiteracy statistics, the design of literacy education, curriculum construction, teaching methods, evaluation of the literacy education process, impact of literacy education, and implications of…

The author describes his lifelong involvement in education, particularly in Bangladesh, including pilot projects for rural development, literacy, education of women and girls, health and family planning, village cooperatives, and a feeder school program. (SK)