What is Literacy?

The definition of literacy has evolved from "the ability to read and use printed materials at an extremely basic level" to "using printed and written information to function in society, to achieve one's goals and to develop one's knowledge and potential" (2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy).

Functional illiteracy defines the inability of an individual to use reading, speaking, writing and computational skills in everyday life situations. For example, a functionally illiterate adult cannot fill out an employment application, follow written instructions, or read the label on a prescription bottle.

Why does illiteracy exist?

The answers are as varied as the number of functionally illiterate adults. The adult non-reader may have left school early, may have had a physical or emotional disability, may have had ineffective teachers or teaching methods, or may simply have been unready to learn at the time reading instruction began.

Because they are unable to help their children learn, parents who can't read often perpetuate the intergenerational cycle of illiteracy. Without books, newspapers or magazines in the home and a parent who reads to serve as a role model, many children grow up with severe literacy deficiencies.Clearly, there is no single cause of illiteracy.

National literacy data:

A mother's literacy level is one of the most significant predictors of a child's future literacy - more significant than income level and employment status. (Pennsylvania State Literacy Survey, Education Testing Service, 1995)

Workers 18 and over with a bachelor's degree earn an average of $51,206 a year, while those with a high school diploma earn $27,915; those without a high school diploma average $18,734. (U.S. Census Bureau).

Children of adults who participate in literacy programs improve their grades and test scores, improve their reading skills, and are less likely to drop out of school (National Institute for Literacy- NIFL).

A rise of 1% in literacy scores leads to a 2.5% rise in labor productivity (The Economist, August 28, 2004).

American businesses currently spend more than $60 billion each year on employee training, much of that for remedial reading, writing, and mathematics (ProLiteracyWorldwide).

Six of the ten fastest growing occupations listed by the US Department of labor in its employment projections through 2012 require an associate's or bachelor's degree (U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, 2004).

What are the types of literacy needed in a community?

basic reading skills and GED preparation
English for speakers of other languages
health literacy
family literacy
workforce literacy (pre-employment preparation)
workplace literacy (supporting incumbent workers)
financial literacy
computer literacy
early childhood and school readiness
after school support

Our community can no longer afford to avoid the rising level of illiteracy in the region. Limited literacy skills cost businesses and taxpayers approximately $20 billionper year in lost wages, profits, and productivity (Barnett, Vol. 5, No.3. Future of Children, 1995).