The Impact of Workplace Literacy Programs: A New Model for Evaluating the Impact of Workplace Literacy

Research has shown that an effective assessment of workplace literacy programs requires both formative and summative evaluations. Workplace literacy program impact is best measured using a mixture of standard assessment tests and custom-designed instruments. A broader conception of adult literacy learning can be assessed by using interviews and questionnaires to gather information about learner literacy beliefs, practices, processes, and plans. In assessing the effects of workplace programs on workers ' families, five factors have been identified: parents ' socioeconomic status; educational level; aspirations for their child's education; ability to model literacy practices; and encouragement of literacy practices with their children. To assess the impact of a workplace literacy program on employer objectives, measures of productivity--company records, employee interviews and questionnaires, and supervisor ratings--should be taken before and after training. Parallel studie