The program was originally developed as a research and demonstration project of Adult Basic Education (ABE) in urban areas of Louisville (Kentucky) to reach, retain, and teach illiterate adults. Research findings of the program are summarized regarding reaching the target group, retention, reading gains, counseling, recruitment, volunteer staff training, instructional design, and evaluation. After four years of documented success, the JCARP was validated by the Joint Dissemination Review Panel (JDP) of the U.S. Department of Education in 1982. As part of the National Diffusion Network (NDN), it is currently being implemented in ten states primarily in community adult education programs. Its implementation as an inmate tutoring program in Ohio has demonstrated similar success. Learning to read led to improvement in inmates' attitudes and increased self-esteem and to positive implications for the correctional education system. Resources are listed for the ABE program, Clearinghouse on Adult Education, Competency-Based Adult Education Network, and National Institute for Citizen Education in the Law (NICEL). (Author abstract modified)