Adult Literacy in America

Adult Literacy in America PDF

Author: Irwin S. Kirsch

Publisher: Department of Education

Published: 1993

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13:

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The National Adult Literacy Survey profiled the literacy of U.S. adults based on their performance on tasks reflecting materials and demands of daily life. Data were gathered through interviews with a random sample of 13,600 people over 16, a survey of 1,000 adults in each of 12 states, and interviews with 1,100 prison inmates, making a total of 26,000 adults surveyed. Participants completed a series of literacy tasks and received proficiency scores on three scales measuring prose, document, and quantitative literacy. They were categorized in five levels. Major findings were as follows: (1) 40-44 million adults were at the lowest level, of whom 25% were immigrants, 62% did not complete high school, and 19% had visual difficulties; (2) 50 million at level 2 had difficulty with higher reading and problem-solving skills; (3) most at levels 1-2 rated their reading/writing as well or very well--they could meet most needs with limited skills; (4) 61 million were at level 3, 34-40 million at levels 4-5; (5) young adults were less proficient than those surveyed in 1985; (6) older adults were more likely to have limited skills; (7) many minorities and prison inmates were more likely to be at levels 1-2, due to fewer years of schooling or limited English proficiency; (8) higher levels correlated with being employed, working more weeks, and having higher wages; and (9) 41-44% of level 1 and 4-8% of levels 4-5 were in poverty. (Appendices include definitions and 31 data tables. Document includes 13 other tables and 26 figures.) (SK)

Adult Literacy in America

Adult Literacy in America PDF

Author:

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published: 1994

Total Pages: 184

ISBN-13: 0788102818

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Offers an overview of the results of the National Adult Literacy Survey. Describes adult literacy at 5 levels in terms of the types of literacy skills needed to use various kinds of printed and written information in our society, including prose literacy, document literacy, and quantitative literacy. Received national attention!

Improving Adult Literacy Instruction

Improving Adult Literacy Instruction PDF

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2012-04-26

Total Pages: 504

ISBN-13: 0309219590

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A high level of literacy in both print and digital media is required for negotiating most aspects of 21st-century life, including supporting a family, education, health, civic participation, and competitiveness in the global economy. Yet, more than 90 million U.S. adults lack adequate literacy. Furthermore, only 38 percent of U.S. 12th graders are at or above proficient in reading. Improving Adult Literacy Instruction synthesizes the research on literacy and learning to improve literacy instruction in the United States and to recommend a more systemic approach to research, practice, and policy. The book focuses on individuals ages 16 and older who are not in K-12 education. It identifies factors that affect literacy development in adolescence and adulthood in general, and examines their implications for strengthening literacy instruction for this population. It also discusses technologies for learning that can assist with multiple aspects of teaching, assessment,and accommodations for learning. There is inadequate knowledge about effective instructional practices and a need for better assessment and ongoing monitoring of adult students' proficiencies, weaknesses, instructional environments, and progress, which might guide instructional planning. Improving Adult Literacy Instruction recommends a program of research and innovation to validate, identify the boundaries of, and extend current knowledge to improve instruction for adults and adolescents outside school. The book is a valuable resource for curriculum developers, federal agencies such as the Department of Education, administrators, educators, and funding agencies.

Uncovering the Logic of English: A Common-Sense Solution to America's Literacy Crisis

Uncovering the Logic of English: A Common-Sense Solution to America's Literacy Crisis PDF

Author: Denise Eide

Publisher: Logic of English, Inc

Published: 2011-01-27

Total Pages: 204

ISBN-13: 1936706075

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"English is so illogical!" It is generally believed that English is a language of exceptions. For many, learning to spell and read is frustrating. For some, it is impossible... especially for the 29% of Americans who are functionally illiterate. But what if the problem is not the language itself, but the rules we were taught? What if we could see the complexity of English as a powerful tool rather than a hindrance? --Denise Eide Uncovering the Logic of English challenges the notion that English is illogical by systematically explaining English spelling and answering questions like "Why is there a silent final E in have, large, and house?" and "Why is discussion spelled with -sion rather than -tion?" With easy-to-read examples and anecdotes, this book describes: - the phonograms and spelling rules which explain 98% of English words - how English words are formed and how this knowledge can revolutionize vocabulary development - how understanding the reasons behind English spelling prevents students from needing to guess The author's inspiring commentary makes a compelling case that understanding the logic of English could transform literacy education and help solve America's literacy crisis. Thorough and filled with the latest linguistic and reading research, Uncovering the Logic of English demonstrates why this systematic approach should be as foundational to our education as 1+1=2.

The State of Literacy in America

The State of Literacy in America PDF

Author: Stephen M. Reder

Publisher:

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 456

ISBN-13:

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This document presents synthesized estimates of the rates of level 1 literacy by congressional district in the 50 states and District of Columbia. The estimates are extrapolations of the National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS) that were based on the findings of approximately 26,000 interviews. The document begins with an introduction containing the following: overview of the NALS; examination of what it means to be literate in the 1990s; definition of level 1 literacy (ability to perform many tasks involving simple texts and documents but difficulty using certain reading, writing, and computational skills considered necessary for functioning in everyday life); and discussion of the impact of low literacy. Presented next are answers to 12 frequently asked questions about synthetic estimates of adult literacy proficiency. The remainder of the document consists of bar graphs and maps detailing the rates of level 1 literacy by state, congressional district, county, and municipality. A total of 119 figures/tables/maps are included throughout the document. Appended is a paper, "Synthetic Estimates of Literacy Proficiency for Small Census Areas" (Stephen Reder), that describes the extrapolation techniques, which are said to be relatively accurate for individual localities with at least 10,000 inhabitants. (MN)

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