Colleagues,

I want to bring to your attention a new book that reviews findings  
from Longitudinal research on adult basic skills, including English  
language learning. It draws on studies by top researchers in the U.S.  
and the U.K.  I am looking forward to reading it.

David J. Rosen
DJRosen at theworld.com


Tracking Adult Literacy and Numeracy Skills
Findings from Longitudinal Research

Stephen Reder and John Bynner (editors)

·                                           ISBN: 978-0-415-95858-5
·                                           Binding: Hardback
·                                           Published by: Routledge
·                                           Publication Date: 4th  
November 2008
·                                           Pages: 412

About the Book

Understanding the origins of poor literacy and numeracy skills in  
adulthood and how to improve them is of major importance when society  
places a high premium on proficiency in these basic skills. This  
edited collection brings together the results of recent longitudinal  
studies that greatly extend our knowledge of what works in raising  
skill levels, as well as the social and economic returns to improvement.

Many fundamental research questions in adult education involve change  
over time: how adults learn, how program participation influences  
their acquisition of skills and knowledge, and how their educational  
development interacts with their social and economic performance.  
Although a growing number of longitudinal studies in adult basic  
education have recently been completed, this book is the first  
systematic compilation of findings and methods.

Triangulating findings from different methodological perspectives and  
research designs, and across countries, this text produces  
convergence on key conclusions about the role of basic skills in the  
modern life course and the most effective ways of enhancing them.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Need for Longitudinal Studies in Adult Literacy and  
Numeracy Education Stephen Reder and John Bynner Part I: Literacy and  
Numeracy Development 1. Insights into Basic Skills from a UK  
Longitudinal Study John Bynner and Samantha Parsons 2. The  
Development of Literacy and Numeracy in Adult Life Stephen Reder 3.  
Longitudinal Research Related to Adult Literacy and Education T.  
Scott Murray Part II: Student, Teacher and Classroom Studies 4.  
Developing Learners’ Reading Skills in Adult Basic Education Programs  
Judith Alamprese 5. "What Works" for Adult Students of English as a  
Second Language Larry Condelli, Heide Spruck Wrigley and Kwang S.  
Yoon 6. Student Persistence in Adult Literacy and Numeracy Programs  
John Comings 7. Teacher Attitudes Towards the "Skills for Life"  
National Strategy for Improving Adult Literacy and Numeracy Skills  
Olga Cara and Jennifer H. Litster 8. The Impact of the "Skills for  
Life" Learning Infrastructure on Learners: A Summary of Methods and  
Findings John Vorhaus, Ursula Howard, Greg Brooks, Ann Marie  
Bathmaker and Yvon Appleby Part III: The Impact of Policy and  
Programs 9. Outcomes for Basic Skills Learners: A Four-year  
Longitudinal Study Hillary Metcalf & Pamela Meadows 10. Enhancing  
"Skills for Life": Workplace Learning and Adult Basic Skills Karen  
Evans, Edmond Waite and Lul Admasachew 11. Improving the Literacy and  
Numeracy of Young Offenders Jane Hurry, Laura Brazier and Anita  
Wilson Part IV: Social and Economic Outcomes in Context 12. Using a  
Longitudinal Approach with State Administrative Records to Evaluate  
Adult Education Programs in theUnited States Stephen Rose 13. The  
Tennessee Longitudinal Study of Adult Literacy Program Participants  
Mary Beth Bingman 14. Outcomes of Literacy Improvement: A  
Longitudinal View Barbara McDonald and Patricia Scollay 15. ‘The more  
you learn the better you feel': Research into Literacies, Learning  
and Identity in Scotland Kathy Maclachlan, Lyn Tett, and Stuart Hall  
16. Adults’ Lives and Learning in Different Contexts: A View Over  
Time Yvon Appleby and David Barton