Literacy and Education

LITERACY AND EDUCATION

More than half of Americans 16 to 74 (54%) read below a sixth-grade level. This is 130 million people. 19% of American adults are functionally illiterate. “The NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) reports that just one third of students in fourth, eighth and 12 th grades are proficient in reading and have ‘solid academic performance and demonstrated competency over challenging subject matter.’” This one-third figure matches closely to the percentage of American adults 25 or older with a bachelor’s degree (37.9% in 2021).

Full-time workers (22-27 years) with a four-year college education earned a median annual wage of $52,000 compared to $30,000 for those with just a high school diploma. Economic rewards go to the well-educated, but most high school graduates are not prepared for or interested in higher education.

Literacy and education are important for employment and the economy but also to maintain democracy and quality of life. An educated populace is more politically aware and creates a richer culture.

(SOURCES; National Center for Education Statistics, 2021; Lexia, 3/2/22; American Public Media Research Lab, 3/16/22; Pew Research Center, 4/12/22)