The Literacy Volunteers of America-Danbury, CT assess all learners using LVA READ on entry and again after 6 months or 50 hours of instruction. The students are also asked what they want to accomplish. Achievement of goals is measured not only through an objective instrument but also through the successful completion of a life skill. As tutors do not always record these latter achievements from failure to understand their importance, the program wants to develop competency-based education. Each site is encouraged to develop a program that fits the needs of its unique area.
Progress is charted by both tutors and learners.
From the above it is obvious there is a wide variance in assessment tools used and views of them. There does seem to be a general acknowledgement that what is available needs improvement. Competency-based programs also have a similar problem as they tend to be imposed on a learner. Assessment of the adult learner apparently needs to be on an informal basis. The cultural, physiological, psychological and educational characteristics of the learner should be noted through a series of informal interviews over a period of several sessions.