Presents the purposes, strengths, and weaknesses of these assessment methods for adult basic education: standardized, criterion referenced, curriculum based, performance based, and informal. Discusses ways to establish a supportive assessment environment. (SK)

Provides suggestions for designing customized basic skills instruction using work-related reading needs. Highlights opportunities for adult educators in workplace literacy. (SK)

Parents of Chapter 1 reading students were invited to take part in a reading program using courseware for adult beginning readers. A group of 52 parents completed the program; on average they gained more than one year in reading level after 20 hours of instructional time. Impact on children and delivery models are discussed. (CH)

Transfer of knowledge and skills is optimized if learning is situated in a context such as the workplace. The example of Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce's welfare-to-work program illustrates how situated work force education can produce greater long-term outcomes. (SK)

Summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of using computers in adult literacy instruction. Presents a matrix which permits teachers to see at a glance how any one of 112 specific software programs may be used. (RS)

Steps in developing a workplace literacy partnership include (1) creating community awareness; (2) developing organizational readiness; (3) analyzing organizational needs, climate, and resources; (4) negotiating program content, structure, participation, and schedule; (5) setting goals and objectives and planning instruction; and (6) implementing…

Three National Workplace Literacy Program-funded projects were evaluated. Two statewide projects were institutionalized with supporting state structures. The community college program was not considered mission central and was discontinued after funding ended. Union involvement, learner participation, curriculum development, and staff training…

Intended for trainers of literacy providers and practitioners in the field, this manual explains how to develop a workplace literacy program and market it to employers. Chapter 1 provides an overview and history of workplace literacy and recommends improvements in literacy services. Chapter 2 examines approaches to developing workplace programs,…

Points out that, to keep the work force up to date, business, industry, and labor groups are inviting adult basic educators to design and implement retraining programs at the worksite. Provides suggestion for designing custom-made basic skills instruction using work-related materials. (JOW)

This index of workplace and adult basic skills computer software includes 108 listings. Each listing is described according to the following classifications: (1) teacher/tutor tools (customizable or mini-authoring systems); (2) assessment and skills; (3) content; (4) instruction method; (5) system requirements; and (6) name, address, and phone…

This document is the final report of the first year's operation of a project designed to train literacy and adult education providers and organizations in business, industry, and labor to develop and implement effective workplace literacy programs. The program, which operates in Pennsylvania on the state and regional levels, initiates the…

According to U.S. Census data, in rural Pennsylvania, 37% of adults did not complete higher school, and 21% did not go beyond 8th grade. As a consequence of present demographic and literacy trends, the proportion of the workforce with low levels of basic skills is growing. At the same time, a changing labor market is creating new jobs that demand…

A project was conducted to offer customized software to adult basic education (ABE) programs in Pennsylvania and to train the program participants on software customization principles. The project produced an updated list of software publishers and products that can be customized for adult education students. Workshops were presented on…

A study examined the use of the Penn State Adult Literacy Courseware, which teaches sight vocabulary to beginning adult readers, in a volunteer tutoring situation with three male and two female unemployed adults whose average grade level in reading was 1.1. All students were white, their average age was 37, and the highest grade any of them had…

Effective technology empowers learners and helps them assume responsibility for their own learning. Characteristics of effective instructional technology should guide the development of computer software and other types of technology. Software should provide for interaction since adults learn through active engagement. Feedback should be…