Review_Author: Jill Jacobs
Book_Author: Daniel Wagner and Richard Venezeky
Article_Title: Adult Literacy: The Next Generation
1999.
The Educational Researcher
January-February, Vol. 28
No. 1, pages 21-29, 30-36, 37-38.
Reference: 1983, New York, Cambridge University Press
Date: 5/22/00
Time: 3:12:10 PM
Remote Name: 138.123.64.137
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In "Adult Literacy: The Next Generation" by Daniel Wagner and Richard Venezky, the authors pose several problems regarding literacy and then offer solutions. They found that although "95% of adult Americans" could read "on or above a fourth grade level," most literate adults scored in "the lower two levels of literacy." The ramifications of these numbers are that this has far reaching consequences in regard to how American workers fare in a competitive global economy. The research for this article is based on a report issued by The National Center for Adult Literacy.
Problem: Literacy and Economic Well-being Data has proven that one's economic well-being is closely related
to one's literacy level: the higher the level of literacy, the greater
one's income.
Recommendations:
Adult literacy education must become an integral part of our
nation's social and economic goals.
Problem: Literacy Instruction and Measurement
Core subject areas need to be identified and types of learners
need to be classified. Diagnostic instruments for adults need to
be formulated. The practice of learners determining their needs
and goals needs to be explored. Functional literacy, as a goal,
needs to be re-examined as basic skill learning appears to have
little or no transfer to overall literacy. Adult numeracy,
competence with mathematic skills, needs to be re-evaluated.
Recommendations:
Greater emphasis on individual needs through testing. Then,
needs addressed only according to type of learner: (1) special
needs students (2) students who progress normally (3) those
students who do not seek academic success.
Problem: Workforce Literacy and Competitiveness
American businesses are concerned about the skills of their
workforce. The question arises as to whether skills should be
taught to those who are unable to raise their literacy levels. Yet,
financial incentives seem to be the motivation for workers to gain
higher levels of literacy.
Recommendations:
Adult learning services provided for workforce should be
increased in both large and small businesses. The quality of the
programs needs to be monitored. A balance should be sought
between the needs of the students and the needs of employers.
Finally, financial incentives should be offered.
Problem: English As A Second Language
"Approximately 12-14 million adults have limited proficiency in
the English language". Learners need to be literate in their own
language before learning to read in English.
Recommendations:
The area of ESL has been given little attention in the United
States. As 50 percent of adult education has to address ESL
concerns, research and development needs to focus on "literacy
learning processes and appropriate curricula."
Problem: Family Literacy
Family literacy programs have been successful, but knowledge of
programs is limited as few evaluations have occurred.
Communities need to embrace the idea of family literacy to
promote economic and social growth.
Recommendation:
Family literacy needs to be connected with family services in
general. Specialized training needs to occur for literacy
instructors.
Problem: Professionalization and Standards
Most instructional staff is part-time; more instruction is needed.
Standards need to be set for all areas of literacy. Work related
competency and more general literacy competencies need to be
defined.
Recommendations:
Staff training and development needs to be increased. Regional
problems need to be addressed and state and national networks
need to enable networking and information dissemination to
occur.
Problem: Technology
Technology is used but equipment needs to be updated.
Partnering needs to occur between businesses and literacy
learning centers in an effort to share equipment and resources.
Online resources need to be researched. Literacy software
needs to be developed.
Recommendations:
Federal and State funding should be targeted for computer
technology. Additional research needs to be performed and
professional development needs to be attained.
Conclusion: America is facing a serious literacy problem. More state and federal funding is needed for technology, materials, instructors, and programs. Americans need to achieve higher levels of skills to be able to participate in the competitive markets of today.
Colin Lankshear and Peter O'Connor Lankshear and O'Connor criticize Venezky and Wagner's point that the main reason to improve adult literacy in the United States is to enable Americans to become more competitive in the world economy. Though the Venezky and Wagner report is based on the NALS study, Lankshear and O'Connor note that its findings are not referred to throughout the article and are not subject to close scrutiny. Another shortcoming of the Venezky and Wagner article is their shortsightedness in looking toward future trends and needs. Lankshear and O'Connor disagree with Venezky and Wagner when they propose that the future of literacy is dependent on better classroom based teaching. Lankshear and O'Connor feel that sociocultural trends indicate that workforce training on site with workers training workers is a much more effective method.
In this response to the response, Venezky and Wagner argue that Lankshear and O'Connor do not present opposing points. Many of their ideas are parallel to theirs but are supported differently. In defense, Venezky and Wagner argue that some arguments that Lankshear and O'Connor felt should be made did not directly support the claim Venezky and Wagner were making; therefore, these arguments were not made. Venezky and Wagner also dispute some "erroneous statements" on specifics. But generally, Venezky and Wagner stated that the pro-literacy movement needs to be supported by more scientific research - which can then be used by the literacy professionals of future generations.