The National Literacy Act’s definition of literacy is “an individual’s ability to read, write, and speak in English, and to compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job and in society, and to achieve one’s goals and to develop one’s knowledge and potential.”  This definition illustrates the importance of literacy’s impact on society. 

The National Assessment of Adult Literacy Survey breaks literacy down into four levels.  People with Below Basic Skills can perform only the most simple and concrete literacy activities.  Adults with Basic Skills can perform simple and everyday literacy activities.  People with Intermediate Skills can perform moderately challenging literacy activities, and adults with Proficient Skills can perform complex and challenging literacy activities.  The survey estimates that 14 percent of adults in America are Below Basic in their skills, and an additional 29 percent perform at the Basic Skills level. 

ProLiteracy, a national literacy organization, has summarized major impacts of low literacy.  The 14 percent in the Below Basic category translates to 30 million adults who cannot read, write, or do basic math above a third grade level.  In addition, over eight million adults have dropped out of school before the eighth grade.  During the past 30 years, more than ten million Americans reached the twelfth grade without learning to read at the basic level. 

The link between crime and low literacy skills is well documented.  In fact, over one and a half million people with the lowest levels of literacy are incarcerated.  Literacy helps individuals to understand the law.  Whether documentation is from the police, a court, or an attorney, an illiterate person is often unable to understand his rights.

States that have decreased the high school dropout rate have also decreased the incarceration rates, saving money in reduced crime costs. 

Political participation is hampered, since the illiterate person cannot read pertinent literature and must rely on verbal information.  Without the ability to read opinions in a newspaper or political goals of the parties involved, the illiterate person may not vote or be an uninformed voter. 

In fact, if only half of the dropouts from 2008 had graduated, billions would have been realized in additional earnings, spending, and investing ($8 billion).  This additional spending and investing would have created 30,000 new jobs.  The chance for employment is reduced by the inability to read and write.  Literacy is necessary to complete job applications, read workplace literature, such as important guidelines, procedures, and written warnings regarding hazards.  Interacting socially with literate employees is difficult and may result in a negative work experience.  Most jobs require applicants to be literate.

Unfortunately, adult illiteracy affects childhood literacy.  Literate parents model good reading habits and are able to teach their children to read and write, while illiterate parents cannot.  Children of literate parents are more likely to develop literacy skills. 

First Book and ProLiteracy report that children of dropouts score lower in vocabulary than children of high school graduates.  On average, at age six, children from professional families have a 20,000-word vocabulary and children from welfare families have only a 3,000-word vocabulary.  In addition, children from low-income families on average score 27 points below the mean reading levels.  The gap between children from low and high-income families on reading comprehension scores is over 40 points.  Parents with a high school diploma or equivalency are more likely to help their children with homework.  One of the best ways to improve a child’s literacy level is to improve the mother’s literacy level.

The cycle of poverty and illiteracy needs to be broken.  Education is the best defense against poverty and literacy is the foundation of all education.  Literacy is the cornerstone of personal and societal freedom and liberty.  The Kosciusko Literacy Services annual campaign to improve literacy is underway.  Donate by mail, online or in person.  See the website or call (574) 267- 5380 for details.