These proceedings are from a conference that brought together representatives of the life and health insurance business, the private sector, labor, education, and government to address the literacy problem. An executive summary is followed by an introduction to the proceedings that gives an overview of the 11 presentations and by the opening presentation. Citing examples of the cost of illiteracy, Paul Simon underscores the need for improved skills in an information society, and makes recommendations to eliminate illiteracy among the unemployed and those on welfare. Herman Niebuhr, Jr. cites the obsolescence of the present organization and structure of education as a major cause of education problems. Regarding workplace needs, James Henry calls the state of basic skills in the workplace a problem of "crisis proportion," while Donald Mann discusses a need for better entry-level job skills in financial services and suggests ways in which business can help urban schools. Paul Delker expands upon the definition of literacy. Stanley Karson and Robert Feagles describe business responses to the literacy problem. The response of the New York State Education Department is discussed by Willard Daggett. Connie Sutton traces the evolution of literacy programs in two-year colleges. Harold Hodgkinson considers future directions for literacy efforts. (YLB)