Facts

Adult Literacy Facts

 

  •  30 million adults were found to be below the basic literacy needed for everyday activities.

“National Assessment of Adult Literacy: Demographics → Overall.” National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences National Center for Education Statistics, 2003.

 

  • Among those with the lowest literacy rate, 43% live in poverty.

“Adult Literacy Facts.” The Crisis. ProLiteracy, 2012.

 

  • 1 in 8 adult Tennesseans are lacking basic prose literacy skills.

“National Assessment of Adult Literacy: State & County Estimates: Tennessee.” National Center for Education Statistics.  Institute of Education Sciences National Center for Education Statistics, 2003.

 

  •  30.6%, almost 1 in 3, of adult Tennesseans living in poverty have not achieved a high school diploma or equivalency.

“S1501: Educational Attainment, 2009-2011 American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates: Tennessee.” American FactFinder. US Census Bureau, 2010.

 

  •  In a recent survey, 1/3 of literacy providers who responded had 20 or more learners on a waiting list.

National Council of State Directors of Adult Education. “Adult Student Waiting LIst Survey.” 2009-2010.

 

  •  The Dollar General Literacy Foundation and the Nashville Chamber of Commerce completed an extensive Community Needs Assessment for Davidson County. You can find in depth information for this area here.