Comprehensive Evaluation of the Statewide Texas Adult Basic Education Program: Evaluating a Human Enterprise.

Data are presented from an evaluation of state and federal adult basic education (ABE) programs in Texas. An introduction describes the methodology by which data were collected. The next three sections contain survey data from and about students, teachers, and administrators. Other sections examine the program planning process, management and organization, linkages with other organizations and agencies, student recruitment, how to reach students most in need, student benefits from the program, dropouts and stopouts, and staff development practices and needs. Another section contains information from interviews with 13 individuals who have long served the basic education effort in Texas. Their perceptions of change in ABE during the past decade are presented. The next section groups requests for help and suggestions of ways in which resources could be made more effective into six areas: help needed from the Texas Education Agency, funding needs, staffing and training needs, teaching needs, vocational training needs, and need for a renewed spirit. Twenty conclusions based on findings of this evaluation study are presented. They are related to patterns of service, varying quality, linkages, program planning, management, teachers, and student needs. (YLB)