The effects of low literacy rates

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What is literacy, and why is it important?

According to Britannica, literacy goes beyond recognizing letters and words. It includes being able to read, write, and interpret different types of literature. A person who is literate should be able to understand, evaluate, and use written material to engage with society and achieve their goals (National Center for Education Statistics). When students suffer with reading and comprehending what they read, it limits their vocabulary, and they might find it difficult to follow instructions or may struggle with expressing themselves clearly. 

Challenges in the US

Even though the U.S. reports high literacy rates, recent data have shown significant changes. About 21% of U.S. adults have low literacy levels, meaning that they are not properly prepared for the work force; in fact, more than half of American adults are estimated to read below a sixth grade level ( The Policy Circle). This situation has serious implications. Students finishing high school may lack the basic foundation to succeed in college, work, and in their day-to-day life.

How low literacy rates affect high school students

1.  Academic performance across subjects 

When students struggle with understanding reading materials, the impact reaches beyond English classes. Subjects like history, science, and math all require reading comprehension skills for solving word problems, interpreting graphs, and following complex instructions. Students with poor literacy skills may fall behind in school and lack confidence in their day-to-day life.

2. Long-term outcomes

Literacy challenges lead to frustration and lower self-confidence. Literacy is essential for full participation in society, and students who graduate from high school without strong literacy skills are less equipped for college and jobs.

Local Context

In our state, the challenge of literacy is huge. An estimate of 14.8% of the population is illiterate, meaning that this group of people can’t read at a functional level (Census Reporter). In addition, most adults in Central Alabama report that 58% of our population needs better reading, writing, and linguistic skills (The Literacy Council). In the city of Birmingham, 89.1% of adults have high school diplomas or their equivalents, and only 30.8% hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This draws attention to the problem of illiteracy and education readiness issues (Census Reporter). In recent years, Birmingham City Schools have reported that they have gained significant improvement in reading levels; third grades improved from 53% on grade level to 62% during a summer recovery period, with some instances reaching 82% (District Management Group). These numbers highlight the progress and the needed improvement in working in literacy support. 

By recognizing that literacy is essential and investing time, resources, and attention into improving literacy, better opportunities can be created for future high school students.