Improving adult literacy instruction : options for practice and research

Summary: This report examines the research on literacy development, including neurobiology, instructional design, motivation and technology use, and makes recommendations for literacy instruction for adult basic education. Focusing on individuals ages 16 and older who are not in K-12 education, it identifies factors that affect literacy development in adolescence and adulthood and examines their implications for strengthening literacy instruction for this population. It also discusses technologies that show promise for supporting adult literacy learners. A resource for curriculum developers, federal agencies, literacy program administrators, educators, and funding agencies.