The
National Institute for Literacy reports data for five levels of
literacy with Level 1 identified as the lowest level. Adults at
Level 1 cannot typically read a paragraph article and identify what
State is being discussed, total a bank deposit slip, or identify
information on a drivers’ license. Both Montgomery and Richmond
Counties exceed the state percentage of adults at Literacy Level
1. The state has 22% of the adult population at Literacy Level 1,
while Montgomery and Richmond County have 27% and 28% at Literacy
Level 1 respectively. Low literacy levels keep many residents out
of contention for decent paying jobs, and exclude them from participation
in training programs that can lead to better paying jobs.
Development of a regional
comprehensive literacy initiative.
If illiteracy were a virus, it would already be a pandemic
in the regions.
This problem is the biggest obstacle
to achieving a competitive workforce
advantage. Responding to it will require a strategy
that focuses on making
the connection between the problem of illiteracy and
citizens’ everyday
lives. The objective would be to encourage people to
identify literacy opportunities for their existing philanthropic
projects, and to ask people to give time and dollars
to help strengthen established literacy programs for
adults and children.
Any campaign must be a comprehensive
effort that
encompasses the full developmental range from birth
to adulthood as
intervention at all levels is a critical priority.
The
National Institute for Literacy reports data for five levels of
literacy with Level 1 identified as the lowest level. Adults at
Level 1 cannot typically read a paragraph article and identify what
State is being discussed, total a bank deposit slip, or identify
information on a drivers’ license. Both Montgomery and Richmond
Counties exceed the state percentage of adults at Literacy Level
1. The state has 22% of the adult population at Literacy Level 1,
while Montgomery and Richmond County have 27% and 28% at Literacy
Level 1 respectively. Low literacy levels keep many residents out
of contention for decent paying jobs, and exclude them from participation
in training programs that can lead to better paying jobs.
