Workplace Literacy [microform] : Reshaping the American Workforce. Adult Learning & Literacy

The National Workplace Literacy Program forges dynamic partnerships among businesses, workers, and educators facilitating the transition from yesterday's work environment to tomorrow's. The program's success is indicated by high retention rates, organizational acceptance, and intense grants competition. Valid and reliable measures are needed that relate learning gains to job-based outcomes. Five projects demonstrate exemplary practices: Pima County, Arizona; Washington, District of Columbia; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Weirton, West Virginia; and Madison Wisconsin. The five projects have key elements in common: job-relevant teaching materials, instructors with job-related training background, and availability of support services. The project's road map to success is based on several parts: common elements associated with successful projects, overcoming barriers to success, and self-help steps for federal funding applicants. The National Literacy Act of 1991 amends the program by modifying the matching funds requirement, setting priorities for small businesses, allowing 3-year grant periods, establishing a literacy program, and creating national program strategies. Long-term strategies must be examined that link the future of workplace literacy to the economy's shift from traditional production organizations to high performance organizations. (Six appendices are included: matrix by state of program partners from the first three funding cycles, list of states by region, legislative foundation, common questions/answers, 21 references, and sources of additional information.) (NLA)