Eleanor Drago-Severson is a lecturer on education at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education where she conducts research into and teaches courses on leadership for adult development and qualitative research methods.

This book offers a new and promising way to support adults in Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) programs specifically and learners in adult education in general. Applying renowned Harvard University psychologist Robert Kegan's constructive-development theory Drago-Severson depicts an in-depth investigation into how and why adults develop ''ways of knowing'' to better prepare them for their work in the 21st century. This book provides practical suggestions for applying Kegan's theory in adult education classrooms to enable teachers curriculum developers program designers and policymakers to better respond to adult learners' strengths and learning needs. Features: * The first comprehensive examination of adults' perspectives on their own learning experiences in an adult diploma program at a workplace site by employing a constructive-developmental approach. * A variety of pedagogical approaches that attend to supporting the growth and development of students with a diversity of learning needs and ''ways of knowing.'' * Stories of hope struggle learning literacy enhanced competencies and development from adult learners themselves. * A cogent analysis of how program learning transfers to work school and home for adult learners. * Practical implications for program design curriculum development practice policy and research.