Reading development in adults

A comparison of the development of reading ability among adults with that of children—from the lowest levels of literacy to the most advanced. Included in the comparison are characteristics of adults at each level of development, the kind of instruction that will help bring them from lower to higher levels, and the particular difficulties they experience at the various levels. The article concludes with a historical overview of the changes in literacy standards and needs in the United States and the growing recognition that among the adult illiterates, particularly native English speakers who have very limited reading skills, are large numbers who have dyslexia. This article is based, in part, on an earlier paper, “New Views on Developing Basic Skills with Adults,” presented at the National Conference on Adult Literacy, Washington, D.C., January, 1984.