The Importance of Adult Functional Literacy Classes

Adult literacy constitutes a significant problem across the United States. A number of students drop out of high school or stop going to school and find themselves with an array of problems in the future. Adult Functional Literacy classes play a vital role in improving lives.

School

Adults need to be able to read to hold most jobs. Those who hold a high school diploma earn more money than high school drop outs and those who attend college earn even more money. You need to possess basic literary skills to do either of those things.

Poverty

The National Institute of Literacy reports 43 percent of illiterate people live in poverty. Of this 43 percent, 17 percent rely on food stamps for survival and 70 percent are jobless. Functional literacy classes will improve a person's standard of living.

Crime

The National Center for Family Literacy reports that 46 percent of prison inmates do not have a high school diploma, often due to illiteracy.

References

• National Center for Family Literacy: Home Page
• Wisconsin Literacy: Fact Sheet