Adult Literacy: Policies, Programs and Practices. Lessons Learned. Final Report = Alphabetisation des adultes: politiques, programmes et pratiques. Etude bilan. Rapport final.

N

81

Administrators; Policymakers; Practitioners

Adult Basic Education; Adult Learning; Adult Literacy; Adult Programs; Adult Students; Educational Benefits; Educational Planning; Educational Policy; Educational Practices; Educational Research; Educational Technology; Foreign Countries; Futures (of Society); Knowledge Base for Teaching; Learner Controlled Instruction; Learning Problems; Literacy Education; Role of Education; Strategic Planning; Student Needs

Studies and reports examining the problems associated with adult literacy and efforts to address those problems were reviewed to identify lessons for adult literacy programs in Canada and elsewhere. Low literacy levels were linked to above-average rates of personal and/or learning difficulties, low self-esteem, associated social problems, and below-normal incomes. Literacy problems also appeared to cost business/industry in terms of lost productivity, health and safety problems, training, and retraining. The main lessons identified were as follows: (1) although adult literacy programs benefit individuals and society, low levels of public interest and political support have prevented full realization of their benefits; (2) experience suggests how to design and deliver good adult literacy programs, but the conditions allowing that to happen do not always exist; (3) adult literacy programs aimed at specific target groups appear to have better results; (4) adults in need of upgrading face barriers that make entering or remaining in literacy programs difficult; (5) adult literacy learners should have a say in policies and programs addressing their needs; (6) learning technologies appear to provide significant advantages when used in adult literacy programs; and (7) more systematic evaluation of adult literacy policies, programs, and practices is needed to increase accountability and improve the field's knowledge base. (Contains 33 references.) (MN)

2004

ED478431