Clinch Valley Literacy Council
Making adult education a priority
Literacy Resources
ProLiteracy Publications
Literacy Advocate
This ProLiteracy Worldwide newsletter contains news and information about ProLiteracy's activities and initiatives here in the U.S. and around the world.
The Fall 2005 issue is available here.
ProLiteracy Worldwide Strategic Plan
The ProLiteracy Worldwide Strategic Plan will dramatically enhance the organization’s capacity to promote its global adult literacy agenda and support its affiliates and partners to effectively carry out their own missions.
The plan brochure is available here.
State of Adult Literacy, 2005
President and CEO of ProLiteracy Worldwide Robert Wedgeworth presented the third State of Literacy report at ProLiteracy Worldwide's conference in Tucson, Ariz., Oct. 26-29, 2005.
This report is available here.
State of Adult Literacy, 2004
Robert Wedgeworth, president of ProLiteracy Worldwide, presented the second State of Literacy report at ProLiteracy's conference in Oklahoma City, Okla., Oct. 7-9, 2004. His annual State of Literacy Report brings new facts and perspectives forward to draw public attention to issues and problems related to adult literacy.
This report is available here.
State of Adult Literacy, 2003
ProLiteracy's first State of Literacy report was presented at the 2003 conference in Washington, D.C.
The 2003 report is available here.
U.S. Adult Literacy Programs: Making a Difference
After talking with literacy and adult educators throughout the country, ProLiteracy America staff decided that it could help by providing local programs with a survey of research about the effects of low literacy and the outcomes that are achieved by people who participate in adult education and literacy programs.
This report is available here.
ProLiteracy America Annual Statistical Report
We are pleased to share with you the 2004-05 ProLiteracy America Annual Statistical Report. This report is based on data received from the ProLiteracy America Annual Affiliate Report.
This report is available here.
ProLiteracy Worldwide International Update
Each year, ProLiteracy Worldwide's International Programs Division produces a report on its new partnerships, collaborations, and program development. To view the latest report and learn more about the social change these programs bring to developing areas all over the world, click on the link below.
International Programs Update 2005 (PDF)
Verizon Workforce Literacy Booklet
ProLiteracy was asked by Verizon Communications to be its partner in producing Workforce Literacy: Equipping Your Workforce for the 21st Century. The 16-page booklet was written for business people. It makes the case for investing in workers' basic education and outlines how basic education planning and provision can pay off for companies. Literacy providers offering workforce literacy services find it a useful business education tool.
This report (PDF) is available here.
(This file is approx. 8MB in size and may take considerable time to download on a low-bandwidth connection.)
U.S. Adult Literacy Statistics
These estimates from the 1992 National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS) combine information from the NALS and the 1990 U.S. Census to estimate adult literacy proficiencies.http://www.casas.org/lit/litcode/Search.cfm
Note: after selecting a state and an area type, click on the name of the state again on the next screen.
To see a brief description of the five NALS Literacy Levels click on http://www.casas.org/22R&D/NALS_level_desc.pdf
National Assessments of Adult Literacy (NAAL 2003).
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is conducting a nationally representative assessment of the English language literacy skills of American adults age 16 and older. The NAAL 2003 will provide the first assessment of the nation's progress in adult literacy since 1992. To learn about what is being measured, the main purpose, and how the data will be collected, go to http://nces.ed.gov/naal/ and download the three-page brochure.
International Adult Literacy Statistics
United Nations Literacy Decade 2003-2012More than 861 million adults do not currently have access to literacy. The Literacy Decade will focus on the needs of adults with the goal that people everywhere should be able to use literacy to communicate within their own community, in the wider society, and beyond. To learn about adult and youth illiteracy rates by country and region, click on statistics on this page: http://www.unesco.org/education/litdecade
Adult Literacy and Lifeskills Survey (ALLS)
The ALLS is a large-scale, comparative survey that goes beyond previous international studies. In addition to the literacy skills measured in the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS), ALLS is designed to identify and measure a broader range of skills in the adult population (age 16-65) in each participating country.
http://www.ets.org/all/survey.html
International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS)
The IALS was a 22-country initiative conducted between 1994 and 1998. In every country, nationally representative samples of adults aged 16-65 were interviewed and tested at home, using the same literacy test. The main purpose of the survey was to find out how well adults use information to function in society. Another aim was to investigate the factors that influence literacy proficiency and to compare these among countries.
http://www.nifl.gov/nifl/facts/IALS.html
Links to other Adult Literacy and Education Resources
Adult Literacy & Technology Network
http://www.altn.org
American Association for Adult and Continuing Education
http://www.aaace.org
American Council on Education & GED Testing Service
http://www.acenet.edu
American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/
BoardSource
http://www.boardsource.org/
Center for Applied Linguistics
http://www.cal.org
The Center for Literacy Studies. University of Tennessee
http://cls.coe.utk.edu
Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Communication
http://reading.indiana.edu/
Commission on Adult Basic Education, Inc. (COABE)
http://www.coabe.org/
Community Partnerships for Adult Learning (C-PAL)
http://www.c-pal.net/
Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy
http://www.caalusa.org
The Educator's Reference Desk
http://www.eduref.org/
Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy & Goodling Institute
http://www.ed.psu.edu/isal
International Reading Association
http://www.reading.org
Learning Disabilities of America, Inc.
http://www.ldanatl.org/
NALS Synthetic Estimates of Adult Literacy
http://www.casas.org/lit/litcode/
National Adult Literacy and Learning Disabilities Center
http://ldlink.coe.utk.edu/
National Alliance of Urban Literacy Coalitions
http://www.naulc.org/
National Center for Family Literacy
http://famlit.org/
National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy
http://gseweb.harvard.edu/~ncsall/
National Center on Adult Literacy
http://ncal.literacy.upenn.edu/
National Council of State Directors of Adult Education
http://www.naepdc.org
National Institute for Literacy
http://novel.nifl.gov/
National Institute for Literacy's LINCS
http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/search/search.html
Pfizer's Partnership for Clear Health Communication
http://www.askme3.org/
SCALE Student Coalition for Action in Literacy Education
http://www.readwriteact.org
TESOL Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages
http://www.tesol.org
United Way of America
http://national.unitedway.org/
U.S. Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov/
U.S. Office of Vocational and Adult Education
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/index.html
Verizon Literacy Campus
http://www.literacycampus.org/
Voice for Adult Literacy United for Education (VALUE)
http://literacynet.org/value/
World Education
http://www.worlded.org
Literacy Resources
The Literacy Resources section of this site includes links to reports and studies about literacy in libraries, bibliographies and resource materials developed by and for library literacy programs, and information on how to build library literacy capacity.Authoritative Sources
As Long As It Takes: Responding to the Challenges of Adult Student Persistence in Library Literacy ProgramsThis interim report from the LILAA persistence study, conducted by MDRC and NCSALL, examines the period, starting in 2000, during which the programs developed plans to improve student persistence and began to implement service enhancements.
ALA -- Leading the Way for LiteracyThis fact sheet highlights ALA’s literacy milestones throughout their 125 year history.
21st Century Literacy21st Century Literacy is one of ALA’s five key action areas adopted to fulfill its mission of providing the highest quality library and information services for all people.
Even Anchors Need Lifelines: Adult Literacy in Public Libraries 1996, Gail SpangenbergThe research underlying this seminal work indicates that public libraries are a vital part of the national adult literacy system.
Toward Equality of Access: The Role of Public Libraries in Addressing the Digital Divide, 2004, Gates FoundationThis report finds that public libraries have helped close the digital divide by providing free, public access to computers and the Internet, particularly for people without access at home or work.
The Role of Libraries in an Integrated Network of Adult Basic Education Services, 2003, National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and LiteracyThis discussion document illustrates how and why libraries are well suited to serve as a source of information and support for students in an integrated network of ABE services.
By and For Library Literacy Programs
Wallace Foundation Library Literacy Initiative2003, Illinois Literacy Resource Development CenterThis annotated bibliography cites materials developed by the public library literacy programs that participated in the Wallace Foundation’s library literacy initiative, Literacy in Libraries Across America (LILAA).
Collection Development Resources American Library AssociationThese selected resources will help librarians and literacy program staff identify and select materials for collection development, instructional purposes, and literacy resources centers.
Important Resources on Literacy for Libraries, 2004, National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL)Based on librarians’ survey responses, this list provides information on key resources for collections on adult literacy and learning.
Learner ResourcesLinks to resources for adult learners including an on-line library, GED information, and sources for improving and practicing literacy skills.
Building Capacity
FundraisingLinks to the nation's leading authority on institutional philanthropy, a database that includes federal grant notices and information from private foundations, and a charitable organization that designs and manages the donation process for top manufacturers and retailers, and a federal technology initiative.
Research InitiativesResearch and best practices in adult literacy and learning.
Special TopicsResources focusing on literacy programs and services for specific populations, links to special collections, and ways to subscribe to topic-specific discussion lists.
Literacy Contacts @ your state libraryA downloadable directory of state library literacy contacts provided by LiteracyPro Systems Inc
WebQuest: Websites: Which Ones should you Trust?
This WebQuest was developed by the Technology Training Special Collection, as a tool for adult education practitioners to directly teach the reading and questioning strategies needed to evaluate websites for authority, accuracy, bias and currency. Because it is designed as a structured WebQuest, it can also be used effectively in programs in guided practice activities or independently by students, depending upon their ability levels.
The Learning Edge and the Northern Edge are online literacy newspapers from Canada designed for adult literacy students. These web-based resources are interactive, and easy to use activities for adult learners using Flash. The Learning Edge has a new edition, with a focus on finding employment. Activities include Networking, Using the Internet to find jobs and Sample Interview Questions, as well as stories from learners about their work.
(Women Expanding Literacy Education Action Resource Network)
WE LEARN values and promotes literacy and literature for all women, especially those who wish their reading and writing were stronger. Women's literacy and education are foundational to women's full participation in family, community, and society. This page features links to writing done be women learners.
Community Corner shows online content relevant to low-income, ethnically diverse populations. The site has carefully-chosen links and information that connect people to community, education and employment-related resources that can benefit the whole family.
The Promising Practices Network (PPN) web site highlights programs and practices that credible research indicates are effective in improving outcomes for children, youth, and families.
This WebQuest was developed by the Technology Training Special Collection, as a tool for adult education practitioners to directly teach the reading and questioning strategies needed to evaluate websites for authority, accuracy, bias and currency. Because it is designed as a structured WebQuest, it can also be used effectively in programs in guided practice activities or independently by students, depending upon their ability levels.
The Learning Edge and the Northern Edge are online literacy newspapers from Canada designed for adult literacy students. These web-based resources are interactive, and easy to use activities for adult learners using Flash. The Learning Edge has a new edition, with a focus on finding employment. Activities include Networking, Using the Internet to find jobs and Sample Interview Questions, as well as stories from learners about their work.
(Women Expanding Literacy Education Action Resource Network)
WE LEARN values and promotes literacy and literature for all women, especially those who wish their reading and writing were stronger. Women's literacy and education are foundational to women's full participation in family, community, and society. This page features links to writing done be women learners.
Community Corner shows online content relevant to low-income, ethnically diverse populations. The site has carefully-chosen links and information that connect people to community, education and employment-related resources that can benefit the whole family.
The Promising Practices Network (PPN) web site highlights programs and practices that credible research indicates are effective in improving outcomes for children, youth, and families.
Scorecard for Skills was created to help U.S. organizations' measure and demonstrate the relationship between their workplace education investments, including workplace basic skills, and measures of organizational performance. By working through this site, you will be able to produce your own balanced scorecard for skills.