Adult Literacy Statistics

Our colleagues at ProLiteracy have published their 2019-20 Annual Statistical Report, based on member surveys conducted within their adult literacy cohort.

ProLiteracy uses this valuable data to advocate nationally on behalf of its member organizations, and encourages programs to use the data for local advocacy, awareness, and fundraising efforts. Great information for the field!

A New Way Forward

Calling for "bold actions to reshape New York's labor market" in light of both persistent labor market issues and the global COVID-19 pandemic. The report offers specific action steps with immediate, short, and long term actions that "urge a collaborative approach to enable business leaders,workforce experts and providers, labor unions, postsecondary institutions, among others to tackle this work together." It is a comprehensive document that can be a resource as we move forward. Take a look!

Trillions Lost in U.S. Due to Adult Literacy Rates

New Economic Study Finds the U.S. Could Be Losing $2.2 Trillion Annually Due to Low Adult Literacy Rates.

The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy just released this report that shows the impact of adult literacy on the U.S. economy. This report underscores the importance of basic skills education and the work of adult literacy providers, like those supported by Adult Literacy Education funding in New York State.

COVID-19 and Adult Literacy

Our colleagues at ProLiteracy compiled this report, COVID-19 RAPID RESPONSE REPORT FROM THE FIELD

The report is based upon real-time information gathered from adult literacy organizations as they shifted to distance services due to the pandemic this spring. It also includes "Key Takeaways" that can help programs navigating this new world. Check it out!

LINCS Resource for Teaching

This from our friends at LINCS, who offer Community, Courses, and Resources for Adult Education: Teaching the Skills That Matter.

The Teaching the Skills That Matter in Adult Education project (TSTM) trains teachers and tutors to integrate the skills that matter to adult students using approaches that work across critical topics. Using the project's tools and training, adult education practitioners can teach the transferable skills students need in these critical contexts. Check it out!

Literacy-focused Funding Available

The Wish You Well Foundation was established by accomplished author David Baldacci and his wife Michelle to help eradicate illiteracy in the U.S. The foundation provides financial support to foster and promote the development and expansion of new and existing literacy and educational programs.

Adult Literacy Education Research

Our colleagues at ProLiteracy have released the Spring 2020 Adult Literacy Education Journal. The focus is on outcomes for adult literacy programs in a much broader sense than we typically consider. Our current social distancing may be providing us with a little more time to read research and resources—this is a great one to check out!

Temporary Guidance: ALE Funded Programs

Please find guidance for ALE funded programs in this powerpoint from the NYS Education Department.

N.Y.S. Education Department Provides Temporary COVID-19 Guidance

The New York State Education Department has provided guidance to funded Adult Education Programs, which include the providers funded by Adult Literacy Education (ALE) funding. Our intent is to keep our students engaged and learning during this time of social distancing-- stay well, everyone!

COABE Recognizes Need to Support Low Level Learners

The Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) calls upon all of us to expand our focus on workforce training to include supporting the 43 million working-age Americans with low literacy skills.

Remember to Thank Your Volunteers!

The article "How to Thank Volunteers in 2020" offers 20 ideas for thanking volunteers in 2020-- check it out. As all of us in the nonprofit world know, it is never enough to just recruit volunteers-- we need to keep them volunteering with us!

2020 Census: Pledge To Be Counted

An accurate count in the 2020 Census is vital to our families, our communities, and to the adult learners supported by our literacy programs.

ProLiteracy says:

The census determines how $800 billion annually is spent on programs affecting schools, housing, health care, and much more. The census will determine these allocations for the next 10 years.

How Brains Learn to Read

"What is dyslexia?: an interview with neuroscientist Guinevere Eden" offers some fascinating research about how our brains learn to read, and what could be happening in the brains of those with dyslexia. Though referencing findings with children, we know that people do not outgrow their learning disabilities, so there is great relevance to our work with adult learners.

2020 Dollar General Adult Literacy Grants

Dollar General Literacy Foundation is accepting applications for their Adult Literacy Grants https://www.dgliteracy.org/grant-programs/. The deadline to apply is February 20, 2020. Many of the Rest of State ALE funded programs have been successful in receiving funding from this organization-- good luck!

COABE Fact Sheets

COABE (Coalition on Adult Basic Education) has created some resources for the field to use in advocating for the issue of Adult Literacy. Please view the information here. 

These national statistics are powerful when shared with stakeholders and legislators-- hope you find them helpful!