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Average Rating: 4.47 out of 5 (19 ratings submitted)
Base Line

Illiteracy in the United States -

Date

March 24 2003


  • 50 million Americans cannot read or comprehend above the 8th grade level.
  • Existing literacy programmes reach less than 10% of these people.
  • The U.S. has a dropout rate of 29% compared to 5% in Japan and 2% in Russia.
  • Illiteracy costs business in the U.S. $225 billion a year.
  • 60% of prison inmates are illiterate.
  • Almost 50% of adults who receive welfare are illiterate.
  • Almost 75% of those who are unemployed are illiterate.
  • Children of unemployed parents are 5 times more likely to drop out of school.
  • Almost 90% of juvenile offenders are illiterate.


Source

Words Are Your Wheels Literacy Programme - Wal Mart and Sam's Club

Material for Base Line has been compiled from original sources. Click on the external source names for further details. External links are checked when the item is posted to the archives but cannot be guaranteed over time. Appearance on this site does not imply endorsement by partners to The Communication Initiative.

Please send ideas for Base Line to Chris Morry cmorry@comminit.com


Placed on the Communication Initiative site March 24 2003
Last Updated March 24 2003

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