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.