THE PREVALENCE OF THE LITERACY PROBLEM



Want to learn more about literacy?

Check out these websites:

ProLiteracy Worldwide



Family Literacy Alliance of Greater Syracuse:



National Institute for Literacy:



National Center for Family Literacy



Community Partnerships for Adult Learning (C-PAL)



National Alliance of Urban Literacy Coalitions



International Reading Association



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Suite 428 ( 500 South Salina Street ( Syracuse, NY 13202-3302

Phone: 315/422-9538 ( 315/471-6031 (

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Facts

On

Literacy

1-866-705-READ (7323)



Literacy means more than simply knowing how to read. It also means having the necessary mathematical and verbal skills to be a functional and productive citizen. Literacy is a critical life skill for people of all ages.

None of the social or economic challenges we face can be overcome without assuring that all members of our communities have the literacy skills they need.

Literacy Statistics for Our Region:

o 40% of adults read at or below an 8th grade level, and

o 50% of their children will have the same difficulties.

National Statistics:

• 21 to 23% of adults in this country demonstrate skills at the lowest level of prose, document, and quantitative proficiencies.

• Another 25-28% of adults (50 million people) score in the second level of literacy – being barely literate.

• Almost all of them (93-97%) describe themselves as being able to read or write English “well” or “very well”. *

Illiteracy Affects

Our Society

• 70% of prisoners score at the lowest level on literacy levels.

• Almost 50% of adults on welfare do not have a high school diploma.

• 90% of Fortune 1000 executives expressed concern that low literacy is hurting productivity and profitability.

• Workers who lack a high school diploma earn a mean weekly income of $240 as compared to $650 for those with a bachelor’s degree.

• Individuals demonstrating higher levels of literacy were more likely to be employed, work more weeks per year, and earn higher wages than individuals demonstrating lower proficiencies. **

Of those with low literacy:

• 41-44% of adults are living in poverty.

• 17% receive food stamps.

• 70% do not have a job or part-time job

• Welfare recipients with low literacy skills work 11 weeks per year on average, compared to 29 weeks for those with stronger skills.

• 50 – 80% of adults enrolled in literacy programs have learning disabilities. **

Need Help? Want to Help?

Are you in Onondaga or Madison County?

If you or someone you know wants to improve their literacy or learn about volunteer opportunities:

Call toll free

1-866-705-READ (1-866-705-7323)

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