The Need for Adult Literacy

Did you know that…

• South Carolina has one of the lowest high school graduation rates in the nation.
• 12% of adults over 25 years of age in Greenville County function on the two lowest literacy levels in reading and math.
• 13.6% of adults in Greenville County lack a high school diploma.
• 6.9% have fewer than nine years of school.
• More than 40% of those in the labor force posted literacy scores within the lowest two levels.

These statistics translate into a vastly reduced standard of living for such individuals and their families. Forty-three percent of people with the lowest literacy skills live in poverty, 17% receive food stamps, and 70% have no job or a part-time job only. Workers who lack a high school diploma earn 60 cents for every dollar earned by a high school graduate, and 34 cents for every dollar earned by a college graduate.

As the education level of adults improves, so does their children’s success in school.  Helping low-literate adults improve their basic skills has a direct and measurable impact on both the education and quality of life of their children. Children of adults who participate in literacy programs improve their reading skills, grades and test scores and are less likely to drop out of school.

Greenville Literacy’s Impact

Adult Basic Education
For more than four decades, Greenville Literacy has offered reading, writing, spelling and mathematics instruction to help participants improve their basic skills.  These sessions, led by a trained tutor, may be one-on-one or small group. Pre-GED and introduction to computer classes offer opportunities for ABE students to reach their personal goals.  In addition, students may work on a variety of educational software in the computer lab to reinforce and practice skills introduced in their classes.  The installation of distance learning software has allowed adult learners to practice fundamental reading and Pre-GED skills in learning center computer labs as well as at home.

Greenville Literacy served 949 adults in the ABE/Pre-GED program from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. The objectives for the ABE program center on students remaining committed to their individual study plans so that they make educational gains.

• Staff enrolls students in as many activities as their work and family schedules will allow.
• Greenville Literacy provides multi-faceted, flexible study opportunities to address the diverse learning styles of the enrolled adults.
• Day and evening classes help to meet their needs.

A benchmark of adult education is reaching 12 hours of study. In the 2011 – 2012 Program Year, success rates for these students were significant.

• 98% of the active ABE students attended 12 hours or more.
• These students studied an average of 93 hours.
• 42 students passed the GED exam.

English as a Second Language
To meet the needs of the international population in our community, Greenville Literacy trains volunteers to lead small groups to help adults improve their English proficiency.  Pronunciation, conversation, and citizenship classes supplement basic English instruction.  Rosetta Stone software in the computer labs add opportunities to improve English communication skills.

Greenville Literacy served 868 adults in the ESL program from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. The objectives for the ESL program center on students remaining committed to their individual study plans so that they make educational gains.

• Staff enrolls students in as many activities as their work and family schedules will allow
• Greenville Literacy provides multi-faceted, flexible study opportunities to address the diverse learning styles of the enrolled adults.
• Day and evening schedules with open entry classes help to meet their needs.

A benchmark of adult education is reaching 12 hours of study. In the 2011 – 2012 Program Year, the success rate was impressive.

• 93% of the active ESL students attended 12 hours or more.
• These students studied an average of 71 hours.
• 4 students were awarded U.S. Citizenship.