How Educated Are We - Functional Literacy And Employment

The chart above shows the literacy proficiency levels of the adult population by employment status. The graph also shows the percentage of literacy tasks that were performed correctly by those taking the National Adult Literacy Survey, 1992. For a discussion of the literacy levels and the Literacy Survey, see the preceding panel. Those employed full time performed the highest percentage of literacy tasks correctly (57.6%). Those in retirement averaged lowest (47%). This is not surprising. People who are employed full time had the highest percentage among the group who function at a Level 3 proficiency or higher. Those who are retired had the lowest percentage among the group of those who function at Level 3 and above.

Overall, most of the population functions at Level 3 proficiency⁸ or above (52%). This is true for the employed; 64% of those working full time and 60% of those working part time function at a Level 3 proficiency or higher. The unemployed and the retired score lower. Most in these categories function at the two lowest levels of literacy proficiency — 60% of the unemployed and 73% of the retired.

Most of the retired grew up in the first half of the 20th century. During that time, many had to quit school and go to work in order to help support the family. Many jobs in those days did not require a high school diploma.

Low literacy rates imply difficulty in getting work. Data on the chart suggest that the unemployed function at the two lowest levels of literacy. They cannot read, write, or calculate well enough to function in our society. Between 18% and 37% of adults at these two levels admit to getting help from family and friends to perform daily tasks. But low literacy proficiency cannot be the only reason for unemployment: 40% of those with a Level 3 proficiency or higher were also unemployed. Economic slowdowns and individual work habits play a role.

Those who are classified as out of the workforce are nearly evenly split between those in the lowest two levels and those in the top three levels (49% function at the lowest two levels, 51% function at Level 3 or above). Why the near-even split? One reason may be that the mix of people in this category is more varied than in any other. Some may choose to be out of the workforce not because they lack skills but because they have other priorities — housewives and stay-at-home mothers and fathers. Some may be out of the workforce temporarily while they go to school. Some may be suffering from mental or physical disabilities. (In 1998, more than 11.9 million of those aged 16-64 with a work disability were out of the workforce). Therefore, we see a pattern similar to the total adult population for Levels 3-5; but we also see a higher percentage functioning at a Level 1 proficiency.

The next panel examines children's reading proficiency.

Source s: Carl F. Kaestle, et. al. "Adult Literacy and Education in America." Education Statistics Quarterly (Winter 2001). Online. Available: http://nces.ed.gov. U.S. Bureau of the Census. March 21, 2002. "Table 2. Labor Force Status - Work Disability Status of Civilians 16 to 74 Years Old, by Educational Attainment and Sex: 1998." Online. Available: http://www.census.gov. April 2, 2002.