Conflicting Paradigms in Adult Literacy Education In Quest of a U.S. Democratic Politics of Literacy » (1st Edition)

Demetrion's overview of adult literacy theory, policy, practice, and research since the 1980s analyzes three schools: the Freirean-based participatory literacy movement, grounded in oppositional politics and grass-roots community activism; the British-based New Literacy Studies, focusing on the ways diverse students use literacy practices in their daily lives; and the US government's focus on functional literacy, linked to a 45-year-old policy emphasis on workforce readiness. His analysis of the schools' very different implications concludes with an argument that unless a convincing set of values grounded in political culture emerges, it's unlikely that the adult literacy field will be able to move from its current marginalized status toward greater public and policy legitimacy. Demetrion is outreach manager for Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford, CT. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR