Youth are increasingly seeking adult literacy services, a trend that is having a major impact on literacy programs. According to federal statistics, more than one-third of the population served by federally funded adult education programs is 16–24 years of age. Federal statistics also indicate that these vulnerable youth (e.g., out-of-school youth, foster youth, juvenile delinquents, and unmarried teenage mothers) are dropping out of high school with lower reading levels and less preparation for the GED exam than previously.

This section explores issues related to youth in adult literacy programs. Resources include helpful tools, journals, and Web sites for instructors and administrators and research documents describing the youth population, instructional strategies, and noteworthy programs.