This study is an initial attempt by the National Advisory Council on Adult Education to review the program and administration effectiveness of the Adult Education Act (program effectiveness in terms of the impact of the program on people's lives, using existing statistical data; administration effectiveness using five basic management functions selected by the Council for the purpose of this review, various existing studies, interviews and observation). The program effectiveness data indicate that the program is changing the lives of those who participate as well as their families. These data also show the program impacting on the economic health of this nation. The results of Council review of the administration effectiveness of the U.S. Office of Education, Division of Adult Education, are somewhat less positive. Constraints imposed by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare policy, by the Civil Service system, by the regulatory process as well as the rules, regulations, and statutes themselves, and by the lack of a systematic staff and management development program within the Division prevent the Division from relating effectively to the states in such areas as long-range planning, evaluation and dissemination. Bureaucracy, effective management, lifelong learning, and illiteracy are issues which the Administration must deal with in the coming years. (Several data tables are included.) (Author/CT)