National Adult Literacy Database

The authors of this study set out a number of questions about literacy, including its definition in the current world; other issues affecting students’ ability to achieve their goals; what prompts students to participate in literacy programs; and whether some types of programs are more attractive than others. Then they sought answers from three perspectives: that of literacy practitioners; literacy students; and representatives from community partners, the organizations that interact with the same target groups served by literacy programs.

The authors recommend that literacy practitioners take a more holistic view of their students, focusing on their needs and goals, not just on their functional literacy skills.

They also recommend that practitioners share information about programs with community partners and with each other, and initiate a study to describe their students in an in-depth and qualitative manner.