DID YOU KNOW THE UNITED STATES IS RANKED 27TH IN LITERACY?
It seems unbelievable that the United States is ranked 27th among all countries in literacy. How can this be? Adult literacy affects economic development, future prosperity, and social well-being of our nation's residents and families.
More than 93 million people living in the U.S. have skills below the high school level.
More than 70% of jobs in the U.S. require more education than a high school diploma.
1 in 7 adults—nearly 15% of the population—is unable to read a job application.
2 out of 5 prisoners lack a high school diploma.
Someone with a high school diploma or GED earns, on average, $250,000 more throughout their lifetime than someone who does not—that’s a quarter of a million dollars! This additional earned revenue not only heightens quality of life for the individual and their family, but also positively impacts our community with additional wage tax revenue and other economic gains.
What can we do?
- Advocate for increased funding for access to Adult Education and literacy programs
- Offer incentives to organizations for coordinated services so that learners can receive the support they need
Business can
- sponsor on-site programs to increase the skills of their employees
- increase internships and mentoring outreach and/or host job shadowing opportunities
- Sponsor adult literacy organizations
- serve as guest speakers in adult literacy programs
- provide in-kind services to education agencies
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