Dallas GDP would grow by ten percent if all adults read at a sixth-grade level
BY LINDA K. JOHNSON, Ph.D. - OCT 11, 2021
A study released in September by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and Gallup found that the nation could be losing more than two trillion dollars annually due to low adult literacy rates. Large metropolitan cities like Dallas would gain at or just above 10% of their GDP by raising the literacy level of all adults to at least a sixth-grade level. https://www.barbarabush.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/BBFoundation_GainsFromEradicatingIlliteracy_9_8.pdf
A Forbes article on the study (https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2020/09/09/low-literacy-levels-among-us-adults-could-be-costing-the-economy-22-trillion-a-year/?sh=2381691a4c90 ) cites the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIACC) literacy and numeracy levels for each county in the U.S. Information on the literacy and numeracy rates in Dallas County can be found at: https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/piaac/skillsmap/.
The level of low literacy (level 1) in Dallas County is statistically higher than average at 33%. Adults at this level may struggle to fill out basic forms. Adults assessed at level 2 make up 31% of the Dallas County population and they read well enough to evaluate product reviews and perform other tasks requiring comparisons and simple inferences, but struggle with comprehension.
At Aspire we find most adults are initially assessed in reading and math at grade level equivalents of elementary and middle school—matching the data above. Since almost all living wage workforce training programs require high school level reading levels, our challenge is to raise their levels of literacy as quickly as possible. That’s why we’re committed to delivering curricula that meets or exceeds national adult literacy standards.
As this number grows every year, it’s vital that we improve adult learning and honor the value literacy brings to our communities. The more confidence our neighbors have in navigating the world around them, the stronger and healthier our whole community will be.