THE PROBLEMS CONNECTED WITH THE ELIMINATION OF ILLITERACY IN THE UNITED STATES ARE DISCUSSED IN AN EXAMINATION OF ADULT LITERACY TODAY. THE EFFECT WHICH ILLITERACY HAS ON THE ABILITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL TO ACQUIRE AND RETAIN A JOB IS EXPLAINED, AS ARE THE ECONOMIC, PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, AND MORAL REPERCUSSIONS OF ILLITERACY. DEFINITIONS OF FUNCTIONAL LITERACY AND ILLITERACY ARE PROVIDED. PAST EFFORTS TO RAISE LITERACY LEVELS ARE REVIEWED--PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY THE MILITARY DURING THE WAR PERIODS, BY INDIVIDUAL STATES (USUALLY BACKED BY INSUFFICIENT FUNDS), AND BY VOLUNTEER GROUPS OF PEOPLE. CURRENT ADULT BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS RESULTING FROM THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 1964 ARE DESCRIBED, ESPECIALLY THOSE LITERACY PROBLEMS STILL IN EXISTENCE. (LS)