Videos

Research on the Economic Impact of the GED Diploma Panel

Overview
This panel discussion focuses on the economic benefits that accrue to holders of the General Educational Development (GED) credential.  It is based on a review by John Tyler of eight recent (published and working) research papers on the GED.  Several of these papers were authored by John Tyler, Richard Murnane, and John Willett, researchers with NCSALL whose work has influenced what we know about the economic benefits of the GED. Other panelists include a teacher, Sara Fass, and a professional developer, Sue Snider.

GED Impact Study
The GED Impact Study examines the economic impact of the GED for high school dropouts, and the implications of these outcomes for K-12 education.

To view in streaming format - [Link will open in a new window.]

Persistence Among Adult Education Students Panel

Overview
This panel discussion features the NCSALL research on Adult Student Persistence. Dr. John Comings, principal investigator, presents a working definition of persistence, examines existing research, and describes NCSALL's three-phase study of the factors that support and inhibit persistence. Other panelists include two practitioners, Kathleen Endaya and Ernest Best.

Adult Student Persistence Study
The Adult Student Persistence Study aims to develop an understanding of the forces that support or discourage an adult's decision to stay in a basic education, ESOL, or secondary education program. This study has three phases:

• Literature review, interview data analysis, and investigation of factors predicting persistence
• Observation of five leading library literacy programs in California, North Carolina, and New York
• Test of recommendations developed in the first two phases

Adult Reading Components Study Panel

Overview
This panel discussion focuses on adult reading research, and in particular on the Adult Reading Components study (ARCS). The ARCS was conducted by John Strucker, Director, and Rosalind Davidson, Assistant Director, who are researchers at the NCSALL.

Adult Reading Components Study
ARCS was the first large-scale attempt to use a battery of individually administered reading and language tests to describe the reading of students enrolled in adult basic education (ABE) and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) programs. Nearly 1,000 adult learners from 30 learning centers in seven states were assessed in order to develop instructionally-relevant cluster profiles of adult readers.

To view in streaming format - [Link will open in a new window.]

In Plain Language: The Need for Effective Communication in Medicine

Video Contents:

• Adults with low literacy share their experiences;
• Public health professionals discuss the impact of low literacy on health;
• Doctors talk about the role of literacy in interactions with
  patients;
• Practitioners focus on plain language;
• Researchers suggest communication strategies.

To view this video, visit the Health Literacy Studies Web site.