A longitudinal study examined adult basic education (ABE) in Virginia between 1970 and 1985. (The first study was conducted in 1970, the second in 1978, and the third in 1985.) Data for the 1985 study were collected from survey instruments mailed to all state department ABE personnel, local ABE supervisors, learning center coordinators, and ABE counselors; a 50 percent random sample of paraprofessional ABE personnel; a 10 percent random sample of ABE students; and a 25 percent random sample of ABE teachers. The overall return for the survey phases of the study was 81 percent. The general consensus from the data examined was that the programs have made remarkable progress given the inadequate funding for ABE at both the national and local levels. Forty recommendations were made in the 1978 study. Some action has been taken on 80 percent of the recommendations. The 40 recommendations included many long-term goals and objectives that turned out to be unrealistic since implementing them would have required increased funding. Others, however, have been implemented by virtue of creative leadership. As in the previous two surveys, the 1985 survey indicated a role conflict between the centralized state department administrative demands and the need for field supervision and technical assistance for part-time local program personnel. In general, ABE programs are staffed with experienced teachers having an average of 10.6 years of experience, and the profession has retained its basic part-time character over the 15-year period. Educational level and certification have increased among ABE counselors over the 15-year period. In general, ABE is not reaching the young unemployed male, and ABE does not appear to be focusing on vocational skills development to an adequate degree. (Three figures and 80 tables are included in the report.) (MN)