Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy

Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy

Welcome to the Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy at Penn State. We are a proud part of the College of Education.

Mission Statement

To advance the field of literacy through collaborative research, development, outreach, and leadership to improve practice, expanding access to high quality education and enriching the lives of individuals and families.

History

Penn State's College of Education established the Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy in 1985 as a vehicle for using the resources of a major land grant institution to address issues related to adult literacy. Our work has continued to focus on adults; however, it has expanded to include children within a family literacy context and adolescents facing literacy challenges. Since 2001, we also have worked collaboratively with the Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy, also in the College of Education.

Believing that literacy skills are best developed within meaningful contexts, the Institute's initiatives have focused on the contexts of the family, workplace, and health. Within these contexts, our experienced staff assists providers with:

• Program design and delivery
• Customized instructional materials and assessment development
• Professional development (including distance learning)
• Program evaluations