Literacy Facts
In the United States
Two-thirds of all jobs and the majority of jobs that pay wages sufficient to support a family, require skills associated with at least some education beyond high school. (Carnevale & Derochers, 2003)
Sixty-six percent of high school graduates do not have the skills and qualifications necessary to attend college.(Center for Civic Innovation at the Manhattan Institute, 2005)
In Wisconsin
Nineteen percent (19%) or 785,682 Wisconsin adults, age 16 and older, are not enrolled in school and do not have a high school diploma. (Wisconsin Literacy Coalition)
Wisconsin has the worst graduation rate in the nation (50th out of 50 states) for African Americans. (Center on Wisconsin Strategy 2002)
In Milwaukee
Twenty-seven percent (27%) of Milwaukee residents (116,000 adults) read at Level 1 Literacy – that is, they cannot read above a third grade level. (Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee)
Literacy Services of Wisconsin serves more than 600 students a year who learn to read, spell, speak English or study for their G.E.D.