[AAACE-NLA] RE: AAACE-NLA Digest, Vol 16, Issue 13

[Paul Deane]

Tom Sticht International Consultant in Adult Education notes:
'Another example of questionable U. S. government help in adult literacy
education comes from the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) web site
(http://www.nifl.gov).
At this site there is a link
(http://www.nifl.gov/partnershipforreading/publications/adult.html)
to the Partnership for Reading with a report on reading in adult
instruction.  The linked page says, "Research Based Principles for Adult
Basic Education Reading Instruction represents the best information
available about how adults learn to read. This publication is a valuable
resource for educators and policy makers." But the latter may be a bit of an
overstatement.'

These might not be very helpful in terms of usable research or information,
but don't they represent the de facto criteria for federal grants for
literacy now?

In relation to this "research", is it valid to take findings based on
research for elementary through high school and apply to adults because not
enough research has been done on how adults learn to read?  Is this a strong
enough "scientific basis" to apply to all federal funding for ABE and Family
Literacy?

Paul Deane
pauldeane at sbcglobal.net
847-590-1207
315 N. Lincoln Lane
Arlington Heights, IL 60004