The document presents a broad overview of Federal involvement in adult education, provides basic information and a guide to primary source material regarding the Adult Education Act, 1964-1974, and suggests further research areas. An historical overview discusses the origins of the current Federal role in adult education through a brief chronological narrative focusing on three program categories which serve adults with less than a high school education: (1) education for civilian and government employees, (2) manpower development programs, and (3) programs to develop literacy and basic skills. The Economic Opportunity Act, 1964, and the Adult Education Act, 1966, with its 1968, 1970, 1972, and 1974 amendments, are examined separately in terms of: legislative history, purpose, definitions, grants to States, State plans and allotments, and other descriptive areas, where necessary. A summary of major revisions for the Adult Education Act reports revisions under the headings used in the legislation. Selected statistics for adult education State grant programs, aggregate United States, fiscal years 1965-1974, are tabulated. Topics for further inquiry regarding historical perspectives are suggested and an outline of selected events in the history of the Federal role in adult education traces activities from 1777 through 1969. (LH)