This guidebook is designed to provide current, detailed information on effective literacy practices. The National Adult Literacy Project's program survey design is described in Chapter 1, with a summary of results from a sample of 213 programs. Chapter 2 focuses on the program selection and onsite interview process, from which the portraits of 31 field sites contained in this section were derived. These sites were categorized in six organizational sectors: state/local education agency, employment and training, community based, corrections, military, and postsecondary. The content of chapter 3 synthesizes the survey and field site results. Eight program components are described in detail: student recruitment, orientation, counseling, diagnostic testing, instructional methods and materials, assessment, followup, and program evaluation. Several of these sections contain bibliographies. In chapter 4, the role of the program director as leader and manager is elaborated, including developing program philosophy, budgeting and fundraising, finding facilities, developing staff, and using volunteers. A final statement summarizes the perspective that has emerged and its implications for literacy education and research. Appendixes include an index of survey respondents, interview guides and forms, a list of programs visited, statistical analyses, and a bibliography. (SK)