Achieving Literacy Across the Lifespan

Adult Literacy

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Comprehensive Adult Literacy Assessment System (CASAS) - CASAS is the most widely used system for assessing adult basic reading, math, listening, writing and speaking skills. CASAS has developed more than 180 standardized assessment instruments and can customize assessment to measure specific competencies. To see a summary of this test, click on the following link. Download

Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing (CTOPP) - The CTOPP test assesses phonological awareness, phonological memory and rapid naming. It is helpful in assessing individuals who are significantly below their peers in phonological abilities. To see a summary of this test, click on the following link. Download

Fluency Development: Practice Means Progress - Comprehension is the goal of reading, and fluency is required for comprehension (National Reading Panel, 2000, p.3-1). Learn six techniques to guide adult learners and issues to consider when planning for fluency practice. Download

How to Tailor Instruction Using Reading Profiles - develop a student reading profile based on the free online resource from the National Institute for LIteracy (NIFL). Download

Gray Oral Reading Tests (GORT - 4) - This widely used assessment helps to identify students who are below their peers in oral reading proficiency. It also aids in the diagnosis of oral reading difficulties. To see a summary of this test, click on the following link. Download.

Lindamood Auditory Conceptualization Test (LAC-3) - The LAC-3 is an individually administered assessment that measures an individual's ability to perceive and conceptualize speech sounds using a visual medium. To see a summary of this test, click on the following link. Download.

Nelson-Denny Reading Test, Forms G and H - This test is used to assess achievement and progress in vocabulary, comprehension, and reading rate. To see a summary of this test, click on the following link. Download.

Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Fourth Edition (PPVT-4) -The PPVT-4 is used to assess vocabulary acquisition by measuring understanding of the spoken word in Standard American English. To see a summary of this test, click on the following link. Download.

Staying the Course: Factors Influencing Enrollment and Persistence in Adult Education - www.c-pal.net/pdf/persistence.pdf - This paper examines who does and does not enroll in adult basic education programs. It is designed to provide a better understanding of the factors influencing enrollment and persistence in adult education programs and what providers can do to improve program quality and access to services.

Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE), Forms 9 & 10 - TABE 9 & 10 assesses basic reading, mathematics, and language skills, and included optional spelling, vocabulary and language mechanics tests. To see a summary of this test, click on the following link. Download.

Test of Word Reading Efficiency (TOWRE) - The TOWRE measures word reading accuracy and fluency. It provides an efficient means of monitoring the growth of two kinds of reading skills that are critical in the development of overall reading abilities. To see a summary of this test, click on the following link. Download.

Wide Range Achievement Test - Third Edition (WRAT-3) - The WRAT-3 is used to measure the basic codes used to learn reading, spelling and arithmetic. To see a summary of this test, click on the following link. Download.

Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests-Revised-Normative Update (WRMT-R/NU) - The WRMT-R/NU is a comprehensive individual assessment of reading ability. To see a summary of this test, click on the following link. Download.

American Council on Education - Adult Learning - www.acenet.edu/ - The official site of the GED Testing Service offers a history of the GED, information about the revised tests that came out in 2002, teaching tips, and sample questions.

Indicators of a Person with Low Reading Skills - Common signs that family/friends might see in a person who has reading difficulties. Download

Profiles of Learners- Stories about real people who’ve improved their lives through literacy training.

Workforce Literacy: Equipping Your Workforce for the 21^st Century – This Verizon-funded project and the resulting booklet highlights the impact of a literacy skills gap in an organization, the benefits of investing in basic skills training, and guidelines for working with literacy providers. Download

Teaching Tips and Classroom Activities

From Artifacts to Storyboards: Energizine the Adult Literacy Classroom through Multi-Media - tips for teachers and students to get started connecting technology with language and literacy learning. Download

Get Real: Using Authentic Materials to Engage Adult Learners - how to use real-life materials in literacy education. Download

Graphic Organizers Activate Visual Learning - an article detailing how graphic organizers can help students read, write, and learn math. Download

Remembering What's Been Learned – These tips help improve your students’ retention and motivation by helping them transfer their learning from short-term to long-term memory. Download

Making the Most of Everyday Text – Use these tips to take some of the everyday resources and bring it into the classroom to use in learning activities. Download

How to Teach Students to Read and Spell Sight Words – These tips help tutors teach sight words using the sense of touch as well as seeing and hearing. It work with most students and especially helpful for those who are kinesthetic learners. Download

I'm a Banana. What are You? - An activity for ESL classes that combines listening, speaking and reading skills to teach and reinforce correct language structures for asking questions and exchanging information. Includes a set of cards that can be used in your class. Download

Concentration - Help your students review community related vocabulary words by playing the classic game of concentration. This handout includes cards for you to use with lower level adult learners (matching vocabulary to images) and higher level learners (matching vocabulary to definitions). Download

Word Slides - Students can practice phonics and decoding skills using this kinesthetic activity. Using two index cards, you can easily create word slides that let students practice recognizing word patterns and vowel sounds. Download

Teaching Survival Vocabulary - A base vocabulary of 2,000 words is considered the first target for students new to English. This resource will help you select vocabulary to teach and provide you with some instructional activites with which to present them. Download

Assembling An ESL Toolbox - Build a respository of visual aids, versitile activities, and strategies that will help you reduce plannign time and empower your ESL students. Download

Helping Students Identify Their Reading Goals- Goal setting and monitoring provides valuable information to help you make instructional decisions about materials, methodology, and focus of instruction. This resource contains some strategies you can use to help students set and monitor their goals. Download

Links to Other Web Sites

News on the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) - www.proliteracy.org/news/ - Click on this link to read ProLiteracy Worldwide's reaction to the latest news on the National Assessment of Adult Literacy.

Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy and Learning - www-tcall.tamu.edu/erica - An archive of materials from Adult, Career and Vocational Educaction (ACVE).

2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) - nces.ed.gov/naal/ - NAAL is a nationally representative assessment of literacy among adults (age 16 and older) residing in households and prisons in the United States. The 2003 NAAL is the first assessment of the nation's progress in adult literacy since the 1992 National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS).

Florida TechNet - floridatechnet.org/ - Florida TechNet provides technology assistance and training to Adult and Community Education providers throughout Florida. Florida TechNet features web-based training opportunities as well as finds resources that will enhance their jobs. There is also an extensive library of resources and links to Web-based discussion boards.

GED Resources for Adult Educators - www.aceofflorida.org/ged/ - This site is maintained by the Adult and Community Educators of Florida. Click on the tabs at the left side of the web page to access teacher resources and lesson plans.

Glossary of Instructional Strategies - glossary.plasmalink.com/glossary.html - This site offers 880 strategies and methods for teaching. A bonanza for teachers and trainers.

Outreach and Technical Assistance - www.otan.us/index.cfm - This site provides electronic collaboration, access to information, and technical assistance for literacy and adult education providers in California. OTAN is composed of three major components, they are: Electronic Collaboration and Resources, Reference Services and Special Information Collections, and Instructional Technology. Note: While this site focuses on CA it is accessible to other states users.The resources offered will be of interest to others. Registration is required in order to access the site.

ProLiteracy Worldwide - www.proliteracy.org - ProLiteracy Worldwide (formerly Laubach Literacy and Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc.) is the largest volunteer-based literacy organization in the United States, providing a full range of literacy services to approximately 235,000 new readers annually through its 1,420 affiliates and a national network of more than 130,000 volunteer trainers and tutors. ProLiteracy Worldwide is the world’s oldest and largest literacy organization.

The Literacy Connection - www.literacyconnections.com/ - Literacy Connections provides a wealth of information on reading, teaching and tutoring techniques, ESL literacy and adult literacy. Aimed at teachers, volunteers and directors of literacy programs, topics include the language experience approach, phonics, word study and the best in children's literature.

The Literacy List - www.alri.org/literacylist.html - The Literacy List is a large collection of free Adult Basic Education and English language ELL/ESL/ESOL Web sites, electronic discussion lists ("listservs"), and other Internet resources for adult basic skills learners, teachers and tutors. The resources have been suggested by adult literacy and ELL practitioners. Within each category, links are in alphabetical order, so the first ones are not necessarily the best or most often used.

Center for Applied Linguistics - www.cal.org - Of particular interest to those working in ESL, this organization’s motto is: Improving Communication Through Better Understanding of Language and Culture. Learn about their fascinating projects and gain access to useful research.

PBS Literacy Link - www.pbs.org/literacy/ - This site helps adults improve their workplace and GED skills.

The Center on Education and Training for Employment (CETE) - www.cete.org/acve - Comprehensive Information Services in Adult and Continuing Education Career Education Vocational and Technical Education Employment and Training

Voice for Adult Literacy United for Education - www.literacynet.org/value/ - This site will tell you about the VALUE organization and give you some excellent online resources for both learners and practitioners – including a large file of adult student writing.

Workforce Education Special Collection - worklink.coe.utk.edu/tutorials/LDWfCrossover_files/frame.htm - This tutorial is an introduction to work preparation for someone working as an instructor to an adult with learning disabilities.

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