Adult Literacy – Frequently Asked Questions
What is functional illiteracy?
What is the scope of the problem?
What is the demand for literacy services in our area? What is the Impact of Low Literacy
What does Tri-County Literacy Volunteers do? How does Tri-County Literacy Volunteers Help?
What is functional illiteracy?
Functionally illiteracy refers to the inability of an individual to use reading, speaking, writing, and computational skills in everyday life situations. For example, a functionally illiterate adult is unable to read a newspaper, fill out job applications or follow basic written medical instructions. In short, when confronting printed materials, adults without basic literacy skills can’t function very well.
What is the scope of the problem?
The National Adult Literacy Survey (conducted by the US Dept. of Education) indicated nearly 50% of the population as having literacy skills below the high school level. About 21% of all adults are functioning at Level 1 — only able to perform tasks involving “brief, uncomplicated text.”
Percentage of adult population at Level 1 Literacy
Cumberland County 12%
Lincoln County 14%
Sagadahoc County 13%
* These counties have an Adult Population of at least 5,000 They cannot read, write, calculate, solve problems or communicate well enough to function effectively on the job or in everyday living. Also, according to labor statistics, 33% of job applicants are rejected for lack of basic reading and writing skills. Our economy suffers large productivity losses traced directly to worker illiteracy.
Skills of Adults at Level 1
A Level 1 Reader Usually Can Perform
Sign one’s name
Identify a country in a short article
Locate one piece of information in a sports article Locate the expiration date information on a driver’s license Total a bank deposit entry
Calculate total costs of purchase from an order form
A Level 1 Reader Usually Cannot Perform
Locate eligibility from a table of employee benefits Locate intersection on a street map
Locate two pieces of information in a sports article Identify and enter background information on a social security card application Calculate total costs of purchase from an order form
What is the demand for literacy services in our area?
Demands for free, one-on-one literacy services in our community continues to grow. The towns in our area has over 2,600 people without a high school diploma, nearly 1,300 people having attended school only through 8th grade, and many others simply requiring improved literacy skills. It has been estimated that adult reading scores improve 1 grade level with 35-45 hours of tutoring.
Tri-County Literacy Volunteersi individualized instruction focuses on what each individual needs to learn to function better in society. We continually get new students seeking help from word of mouth, agency referrals, advertising, and public service announcements. Each Tri-County Literacy Volunteers publicity effort immediately generates more tutors and students. We regularly have a short waiting list of students.
What is the Impact of Low Literacy
Poverty. 43% of adults at Level 1 were living in poverty, compared to 4 percent of those at level 5. *
Welfare. The likelihood of being on welfare goes up as literacy levels go down. Three out of four food stamp recipients performed in the two lowest literacy levels.
Income. Adults at Level 1 earned a median income of $240 per week, compared to $681 for those at Level 5. *
Employment Status. Adults at Level 1 worked an average of 19 weeks per year, compared to 44 weeks per year for those at Level 5. *
Crime. Seven in 10 prisoners performed in the lowest two literacy levels.
What does Tri-County Literacy Volunteers do?
Tri-County Literacy Volunteers provides free, confidential, one-on-one, learner-centered tutoring to students — including English as a Second Language (ESL). We recruit and train tutors, match them with adults seeking help, provide continuing support for both tutors and students, and continually evaluate the learning process. We have 45-50 student/tutor matches at any one time. In almost any 12 month period, we serve a total of 60-70 students.
How does Tri-County Literacy Volunteers Help?
We offer free, confidential tutoring on a one-to-one basis and in small groups to two distinct groups of adults: adults with reading skills below their desired level and foreign born adults, who must learn English to take part in everyday life, attain citizenship and find employment.