A Step Forward For Adult Civic Education

The conviction that democratic government rests on an informed electorate was the basis for establishing a free public-school system and State universities. The swift changes in our social and economic life and the complex nature of modern problems require educational facilities beyond the usual programs for children and youth. The agencies of public education now have the responsibility of assisting adult citizens in an organized quest for understanding of public affairs. The forum programs described in this publication offer a pattern by which the function of adult civic education may be developed. (Contains 9 footnotes.) [Best copy available has been provided.].

Take an in-depth look at adult learning and education for citizenship and civic engagement. This issue presents the foundational connections between the adult education and civic engagement movements. It’s filled with studies on adult learning for participatory or deliberate democratic change and engagement at the local grassroots level. Contributors consider civic engagement in their areas of research and practice and explore the formal and informal ways that citizens come to learn, to deliberate, and to act on the social issues they find important locally and globally. As a result, the volume offers broad examples of different types of formal and informal adult learning for civic engagement. This is 135th volume of the Jossey-Bass quarterly report series New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education. Noted for its depth of coverage, it explores issues of common interest to instructors, administrators, counselors, and policymakers in a broad range of adult and continuing education settings, such as colleges and universities, extension programs, businesses, libraries, and museums.

Take an in-depth look at adult learning and education for citizenship and civic engagement. This issue presents the foundational connections between the adult education and civic engagement movements. It’s filled with studies on adult learning for participatory or deliberate democratic change and engagement at the local grassroots level. Contributors consider civic engagement in their areas of research and practice and explore the formal and informal ways that citizens come to learn, to deliberate, and to act on the social issues they find important locally and globally. As a result, the volume offers broad examples of different types of formal and informal adult learning for civic engagement. This is 135th volume of the Jossey-Bass quarterly report series New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education. Noted for its depth of coverage, it explores issues of common interest to instructors, administrators, counselors, and policymakers in a broad range of adult and continuing education settings, such as colleges and universities, extension programs, businesses, libraries, and museums.

A five level four-skills course that integrates language instruction into meaningful, real-life contexts. conversation, and real-life reading, carefully developing learners' understanding through use of all four skills. •A transparent lesson structure makes the text accessible to learners, while minimizing teacher preparation time. •Strong vocabulary and grammar strands provide learners with the tools they need to master language. •A variety of assessment tools allow teachers and learners to monitor progress. •Interactive CD-ROM PROGRAM! A Stand Alone Level (levels 1-4) Interactive CD-ROM Program that provides extensive practice of vocabulary, grammar and lifeskills through a unique blend of more than 300 activities, games and tests. language assessment. The first goal is to explore the difference between fairness and justice in language assessment. The authors distinguish internal and external dimensions of the equitable and just treatment of individuals taking language tests which are used as gatekeeping devices to determine access to education and employment, immigrant status, citizenship, and other rights. The second goal is to show how the extent of test fairness can be demonstrated and improved using the tools of psychometrics, in particular the models collectively known as Rasch measurement. “This book will have an enormous impact on the field of language assessment. Using Rasch analysis models to explore and identify sources of unfairness, the authors make a compelling case for fairness in the design and implementation of language assessment instruments and for justice in the interpretation and use of test results. A real strength of the book is that it guides readers through analytical techniques in an accessible way.” Dan Douglas, Professor Emeritus, Applied Linguistics Program, Iowa State University.