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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.



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

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