Improving Adult Literacy Instruction: Developing Reading and Writing

At the request of the U.S. Department of Education, the National Research Council convened a committee of experts from many disciplines to synthesize research on literacy and learning in order to improve instruction for those served in adult education in the U.S.

Improving Adult Literacy Instruction: Developing Reading and Writing is based on this 2012 report and presents an overview of what is known about how literacy develops the component skills of reading and writing, and the practices that are effective for developing them. It also describes principles of reading and writing instruction that can guide those who design and administer programs or courses to improve adult literacy skills. Although this free resource is not intended as a “how to” manual for instructors, teachers may also find the information presented here to be helpful as they plan and deliver instruction.