THE LITERATURE is reviewed for public schools, libraries, co-operative extension service, voluntary organizations, and university extension programs. Public Schools The last five years have seen a significant increase in the number of studies which examine in depth specific aspects of public-school adult education. Financial patterns were examined by Olds (51) under the auspices of the National Commission on Adult Education Finance. Olds found that in 17,000 districts $79 million was spent annually on adult education. However, this amounted to only 1.3 percent of total public-school expenditures in those districts. It was concluded that every state ought to provide specific financial aid to adult education as a part of its foundation program of assistance to public schools and essentially on the same basis as provision for elementary and secondary education. In support of this policy it was noted that in the 10 states with considerable aid three times as large a proportion of adults were enrolled as in 38 states with little or no aid. Fivefold increase of state aid in New York between 1944 and 1952 was accompanied by an increase in adult enrollment 15 times that prior to 1944. Olds found that the average cost of adult education is 46 cents an attendance hour, about 50 percent higher than the cost of elementary education. The study, however, included many small communities and programs with small classes. The unit cost drops substantially where a high enrollment and attendance is maintained in each class. The role of professional leadership was examined in several contexts. In a study of the adult education services of state departments of education Holden (33) examined patterns of professional leadership. His findings confirmed that both professional leadership and state aid are necessary for program growth. Hurlbut (35) reported that California districts employing a full-time administrator had twice the participation of the state average. Of 21 trends in public-school adult education identified by Graff and Edwards (29), the trend toward the appointment of local directors of adult education was the second most pronounced. In terms of historical perspective there has been a decline in state leadership. Holden pointed out (33) that 30 years ago 15 states had full269