This study attempts to show the parts played by the State departments of education relative to general comprehensive programs of adult education, illiteracy eradication, and Americanization; adult-education programs of the Works Progress Administration and the National Youth Administration; educational programs of the Civilian Conservation Corps camps; adult-education radio programs; public-forum programs; educational programs in State prisons; and rehabilitation. The general purpose of the study is to present information showing: (1) The legal administrative status of the various fields of adult education; (2) the provisions made for a State supervisory personnel; (3) the objectives sought and the supervisory procedures most commonly and successfully followed; and (4) the major difficulties seen by the State school authorities as retarding or blocking progress in each field. In order to better understand what State departments of education are doing and have done in the field of adult education, efforts will also be made to throw some light on the historical development of existing programs and activities, to show the direction of the discernible trends, and to suggest the present scope of such education. Since the problems of supporting the programs of adult education are of prime importance to their development and progress, facts concerning the State's part in financing this field will also receive attention. Individual chapters contain footnotes. [A section on vocational rehabilitation by H. L. Stanton is included. Best copy available has been provided.]