ProLiteracy Research Agenda

ALE Research Journal

Adult Literacy Education: The International Journal of Literacy, Language, and Numeracy is an online, peer reviewed, themed research journal published by ProLiteracy in partnership with Rutgers University. 

Click here for more information

• Current Issue and Articles
• Previous Issues and Articles
• Author Guidelines
• Submit Articles

First Things First: Re-Map “the U.S. Adult Literacy Problem”

Those wishing to build more effective systems of instructional and other supports for adult learners need to start with a solid understanding of the challenges and opportunities that adult learners and adult educators face. This article outlines why and how supporters of adult education might develop a more comprehensive, accurate, and positive (actionable) problem statement to base their systems reform efforts on.

Download the White Paper

Basic Skills for Community-Oriented Development

Basic Skills for Community-Oriented Development was written for those who are already supporting basic skills development for adults and out-of-school youth in developing countries or those interested in doing so. This resource guide will help readers better understand what they might do to support basic skills development in their communities and nations—and be inspired to do so. Basic Skills for Community-Oriented Development was written by Paul Jurmo, Ed.D, with the help of a team of educators at the field level, representatives of international education organizations, and staff at ProLiteracy.

Download the Resource Guide

A Different Way: Reorienting Adult Education toward Democracy and Social Justice

The U.S. adult education field is now focusing more directly on the question of how to respond to the social justice issues adult learners, their families, and their communities are facing. To contribute to this important dialogue, ProLiteracy is publishing A Different Way: Reorienting Adult Education toward Democracy and Social Justice, a white paper written by adult educator Paul Jurmo, Ed.D. The document outlines strategies used by educators to help learners mitigate the impacts of social injustices, navigate around those impacts, eliminate unjust policies and social practices, and create alternative ways to support human rights.

Download the White Paper

COVID-19 Rapid Response Report from the Field

The report includes information gathered and compiled by members of the  E-BAES Taskforce and EdTech Center staff that describes adult education’s response to the pandemic. Findings are intended to inform the field and offer useful suggestions from which adult education and literacy practitioners can benefit. 

Download the Report

Research Briefs

ProLiteracy has created a series of Research Briefs on adult literacy and education. They are 2,500- to 3,000-word summaries that offer a synthesis of research on a topic, implications for practice, and next steps in research.

• Student Recruitment: A Review of the Research
  Carol Clymer, Shannon Frey

• Digital Literacy and Technology Integration in Adult Basic Skills Education: A Review of the Research
  Dr. Jen Vanek, Dr. Kathy Harris

• Using Data in Practice: What Does It Look Like and What Does It Take?
  Dr. Stephanie Cronen, GeMar Neloms

• Contextualizing Adult Education: Learning from Six Decades of Experience and Research
  Paul Jurmo, Judy Mortrude

• Perspectives on Persistence: A Review of the Research
  Amy Pickard

• Culturally Responsive Adult Education - Embracing the power of experience, collaboration and collective action
  Jaye Jones

• Motivation and Adult Learners
  M Cecil Smith

How to Use the White Paper

White Papers

These white papers are written by industry experts and cover a variety of topics. We also offer tip sheets designed to help your organization succeed.

• First Things First: Re-Map “the U.S. Adult Literacy Problem”
• A Different Way: Reorienting Adult Education Toward Democracy and Social Justice
• COVID-19 Rapid Response Report From the Field
• Trends in Private-Sector and United Way Funding: Implications for Adult Literacy Programs
• Case for Investment in Adult Basic Education
• Literacy and Women's Health
• Literacy and Women's Self-Sufficiency
• Literacy and Violence Against Women
• Women's Empowerment Campaign
• Women and Financial Literacy
• Workplace Literacy Guide

Author Interviews

Click here to watch interviews with researchers.