Literacy centers assist adults with a broad range of services including:

• Basic Education
• Preparation for Employment /Higher Education
• English as a Second Language
• Computer Training

Basic Education Classes Provide a Second Chance

A major study of adult literacy in the US was undertaken in 2003. The National Assessment of Adult Literacy found that more than 20% of adults read at or below a fifth grade level and that more than 40 million Americans, age 16 and older, have significant literacy needs. (summary of the NAAL)

Although educational attainment does not always indicate a person’s literacy level, such statistics can be used as a general assessment of the need for educational services in a community. According to the 2000 US Census, educational attainment in the City of Milwaukee is as follows:

• 25% are not high school graduates (over age of 25)
• 30% graduated from high school
• 5.6% have associate degrees
• 18.3% are college graduates

The high school non-completion rate for the Milwaukee Public Schools district hovers between 40% and 50%. (Actual numbers are difficult to track as students move out of the system without reporting to the schools.) Even with stricter district and state standards in place, many students still leave school without achieving grade level skills. The 2003 National Report Card shows that 64% of 12th graders never reach grade level reading proficiency.

For additional statistics on national literacy visit National LINCS

Tutoring in Subject Areas Prepares for Higher Education

Adults re-entering higher education after being out of school for some years may face challenges in taking placement tests. They may be able to avoid remedial classes in basic English or mathematics with a bit of “brush-up” at a literacy center. Similarly, literacy centers can offer preparation for employment placement tests and apprenticeship tests.

English as a Second Language Helps Immigrants

Between 1990 and 2000, an estimated 90,000 immigrants came to Wisconsin. The majority of these were from non-English speaking countries. Immigration continues at a fast rate, with Wisconsin hosting 47,000 Hmong refugees from Laos and another 3,600 expected to arrive in 2004 from refugee camps in Thailand. Nearly 100,000 Wisconsin residents are from Spanish-speaking countries.

Refugees generally arrive with extremely limited educations. They are not only in need of language services, but also need to learn the basics of using print to convey meaning.

Other immigrants may have higher educational attainment, but still need help with mastering English speaking, reading, and writing skills.

Computer Literacy Increases Job Readiness

Computer literacy is defined as an understanding of the concepts, terminology and operations that relate to general computer use. It includes the essential knowledge needed to function independently with a computer. This includes being able to solve problems, adapt to new situations, keep information organized and communicate effectively with other computer literate people.

Computer literacy is considered part of job readiness. Milwaukee Public Schools are well equipped with computers and most students leave with an adequate understanding of computer use that they can transfer to the job site. Older workers, however, such as women returning to the workforce or workers whose jobs previously have not included computer work, may fear having to learn what they perceive as difficult new skills. Immigrants coming from impoverished backgrounds also lack exposure to new technology. Literacy centers provide a safe environment for older adults to explore and learn computer basics.