Adult Education and Literacy Programs Can Increase Effectiveness at Work, at Home, and in the Community

In recent years a body of research has emerged on adult education and literacy development programs in workplaces that teach English, reading and mathematics skills integrated with job knowledge. The general results of this body of research is that such programs may contribute not only to improving an adult's job-related literacy and mathematics skills, but also to improved productivity on the job, increased reading to children at home, thereby better preparing them for and helping them in school, increased use of language and literacy skills in the community, and the decision to pursue further education. ¹⁵

Figure 2 Effects of Workplace Literacy Programs in the Chicago Area, 1994

In one study, ten manufacturing companies in the area of Chicago, USA, making products ranging from hydraulic valves to bubble gum, provided basic English language, reading and mathematics education for over 700 employees. In evaluation studies conducted in six of the companies, many supervisors reported that the programs had a variety of positive effects on organizational effectiveness, including increased productivity, employees became easier to train, their job performance, safety, and communication improved, many became more suitable for promotion, and a third of them said their companies would continue the programs³ ( pp. 6-9)