ADULT BASIC EDUCATION ENCOMPASSES FOUR STAGES--(1) INTRODUCTORY, FOR THE ILLITERATE WHO IS LEARNING TO READ BUT WHO MUST ALSO LEARN TO LISTEN AND COMMUNICATE, (2) ELEMENTARY, FOR THOSE WITH A FOUNDATION IN COMMUNICATION SKILLS WHO MUST DEVELOP VOCABULARY AND SOCIAL COMPETENCIES AND EXPLORE OCCUPATIONAL INTERESTS, (3) INTERMEDIATE, WITH EMPHASIS ON FURTHER SKILL DEVELOPMENT BASED ON INDIVIDUAL EDUCATIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL GOALS, AND (4) DEVELOPMENTAL, WITH COURSES LEADING TO HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING. READINESS FOR EACH STAGE CAN BE ASSESSED INFORMALLY, THROUGH NONSTANDARD, TEACHER-MADE TESTS, OR THROUGH STANDARD TESTS. PROGRAMS CAN BE HELD IN SCHOOLS OR ELSEWHERE, BUT THE SITE MUST BE ACCESSIBLE, WITH ROOM FOR SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION AND INDIVIDUAL WORK. A VARIETY OF TEACHING METHODS MAY BE USED WITHIN THE LAWS OF ADULT LEARNING. (THE INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM IS OUTLINED FOR ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION, MATHEMATICS, SOCIAL SCIENCES, OCCUPATIONAL PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT OF SELF, AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING. SKILLS AND ACTIVITIES ARE PRESENTED FOR EACH STAGE. THE LIST OF INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS, SCREENED BY THE COMMITTEE IN 1963, INCLUDES TEXTBOOKS, FILMS AND FILMSTRIPS, AIDS FOR TEACHING HANDWRITING AND LISTENING SKILLS, READABILITY FORMULAS, ACHIEVEMENT TESTS, AND PROGRAMED MATERIALS.) (AJ)