Pilot Study of Adult
Literacy Learning Materials (PSALLMs)

In response to practitioners' requests that MAR*TEC identify a software program appropriate for the ABE-level adult readers, the Consortium is conducting a pilot study to evaluate one possible program-HEC Reading Horizons, Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself-and will compare learner outcomes with those of the traditional program currently in use at the Center.

Assessment (TABES) of all the applicants for the 2003 program takes place at the beginning of each of four cycles. When the students at the ABE reading level have been identified, baseline data is gathered and their number is divided in half at random.

One group is taught reading by the Center instructor customarily responsible for this level with the traditional classroom methods in addition to the Passkeys system, which is currently in use at the Center for all classes.

The second group is taught by MAR*TEC staff members using HEC Reading Horizons.

Results, data, and an evaluation report will be produced in May 2004 by MAR*TEC research associates and Temple University statisticians.