Adult Literacy Assessment. Adult Literacy Assessment. Much of the problem occurs because there is no one definition of literacy. Or, maybe it means they can't write a letter to a friend. There are almost as many definitions of functional illiteracy as there are adult illiterates because it is a personal issue.
Some programs are learner centered, some competency based and some job centered.
The instructors may be anywhere on a continuum from volunteers who have received only a few hours' training to certified professional adult educators. The learner's progress is assessed through activity sheets, answer keys and recording forms. The Center for Literacy, Philadelphia, provides a curriculum based on the individual learner's goals, interests and needs. The Center for Literacy uses planning conferences during the intake session and every six months for assessment. Items such as the learner's everyday life, reading and writing strategies, interests, perceptions of reading and writing, and goals are taken into consideration.