A Snapshot of Literacy Worldwide ▬ ProLiteracy

A Snapshot of Literacy Worldwide

Literacy Worldwide 
Snapshot

ProLiteracy Blog: 5.04.2021 by Laura McLoughlin

Low literacy is a global crisis. We often hear about the how increasing literacy rates in the U.S. would impact our economy, health care system, and communities, but what impact would improving literacy on a worldwide scale have? 

ProLiteracy’s mission extends beyond the United States to create a more literate world.

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In an effort to serve adult literacy programs worldwide, we strive to be aware of the global state of adult literacy. Recently we re-examined our statistics to provide a snapshot of where literacy stands worldwide. Some of the most staggering statistics include: 

➤ 750 million adults around the world lack basic reading and writing skills 

➤ Women are disproportionately burdened by low literacy and account for two-thirds of the world’s low-literate population 

➤ 49 percent of the world’s low-literate population can be found in one place—southern Asia 

READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 14

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 21-22 yrs. old

(college level) 

World Reading Habits in 2020 ▬ Global English Editing

World Reading Habits in 2020

World Reading Habits
2020

Global English Editing: 11.06.2020 by Isabel Cabrera

2020 has been a strange year… for obvious reasons.

Most of us spent more time at home. For some, this meant tuning into Netflix from the sofa, or taking the opportunity to learn new skills from online education platforms such as MasterClass or Coursera.

However, for others this was an opportunity to dive into new books and read more.

How did coronavirus change our reading habits? Which countries read the most this year? And what books were we reading?

Some of the highlights of our research include:

➤ India reads more than any other country, followed by Thailand and China

➤ Printed books continue to drive more revenue than eBooks or audiobooks. However, physical books sales did dip because of coronavirus (not surprisingly).

➤ Romance is our genre of choice, with one-third of all mass market fiction books being romance novels.

➤ 35% of the world read more due to coronavirus.

Also Infographics for the United States

Latin America ▬ Europe ▬ Asia ▬ Africa

READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 8

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 12-14 yrs. old

(Seventh and Eighth graders)

A 56-Year-Old Finally Learned To Write His Name — Because Of A Coronavirus Lockdown via WAMU

Dehradun

A 56-Year-Old Finally Learned To Write His Name — Because Of A Coronavirus Lockdown

WAMU: 4.25.2020 by Sushmita Pathak

All his life, 56-year-old Pratap Singh Bora has been sticking his thumb in ink to sign documents. He didn’t go to school when he was a kid. Little did he know that he would learn to write his first words at a coronavirus lockdown center during a global pandemic.

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On April 10, Indian authorities housed Bora and dozens of other stranded migrants in a school converted into a relief camp in the town of Tanakpur along the India-Nepal border. India has set up more than 20,000 camps across the country to provide food and shelter to poor people affected by the lockdown.

But at the Tanakpur relief camp, residents get something extra: an opportunity to learn.

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When the relief camp organizers first tried to get him enrolled in the literacy program a few weeks ago, Bora was hesitant.

“He was embarrassed that he was the oldest of all the students in the class,” says municipal official Prema Thakur who teaches the laborers. Most of the students are in their thirties, says Thakur. “He used to say, ‘what am I going to do learning to read and write at this age?'” says Thakur.

But Thakur and her colleagues motivated him. They brought notebooks and pencils for their students. And after just two days of classes, Bora was able to write his name in Hindi, Thakur says. In fact, he learned faster than many of his younger classmates, including his 30-year-old son, Thakur adds.

“It felt really nice [when I wrote my name],” Bora says. “When I was a kid, we used to live in a hilly area and there was no school nearby.”

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Shukla says laborers mostly come from states that have very low adult literacy rates. India has more than one-third of the world’s illiterate adults.

Literacy programs for adults in temporary settings like relief camps are not new. Refugee camps have had similar programs for years. But conducting reading and writing classes in facilities for people stranded due to the coronavirus is a novel idea. Such shelters in many parts of India lack basic sanitation let alone learning opportunities for their inhabitants.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 8

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 12-14 yrs. Old

(Seventh and Eighth graders)

The Economic Case For Supporting Libraries via Book Riot

Case For Support

The Economic Case For Supporting Libraries

Book Riot: 11.06.2019 by Christine Ro

Here at Book Riot, we’re well aware of the many benefits of libraries. We’ve written, for instance, about how libraries:

Of course promote literacy, including by sharing tips with parents

Provide a sanctuary

Improve educational outcomes

Create community spaces

Provide a wealth of digital materials . . .

Preserve local history and culture

Champion diversity . . .

Open gateways to possible careers and lifestyles, including for future authors

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Overall, the Public Libraries report claims that each £1 invested in a local library service has an economic return of £5–7. The similar return on investment is £3.89–5.48 in the U.S. and over £4 in New Zealand.

It will be impossible to quantify every advantage libraries offer to their communities. But Public Libraries: The Case for Support and similar research shows that these advantages are evidence-backed and undeniable. This is especially useful when calling on policymakers to commit funding in order to maintain and develop libraries.  READ MORE >>

Library / Literacy Funding

2018: From Awareness to Funding: Voter Perceptions & Support . . ., OCLC

2017: Library & Literacy Funding Chart: FY 2017 -by President, House, and

Senate, ALA (excel file)

2011: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, ALA
2008: From Awareness to Funding: A Study of Library Support in America, OCLC
2007: Worth Their Weight: Assessment . . . Library Valuation, Americans for Libraries Council

Return On Investment - ROI

2019
Library Funding Map, EveryLibrary
Economic Impact of Public Libraries (various ROIs), WI Dept Public Instruction
Libraries Matter: Impact Research: Bibliography, ALA
Public Libraries – A Wise Investment - Library Research Service

2019 Winners & Best Practice Honorees :: Library of Congress Literacy Award

@librarycongress

Winners & Best Practice Honorees 2019

Library of Congress Literacy Award

In addition to the three award winners, the Library of Congress Literacy Awards Program Advisory Board recognizes 15 Best Practices Honorees for developing programs uniquely successful in their communities and potentially applicable to other audiences.

This year, the work of the 15 Best Practices Honorees falls into four categories of focus, including:

• responding to community needs

• innovative programs through libraries

• writing as a pathway to literacy

• fostering a love of reading

These 15 organizations are particularly adept at designing programs that fit the specific needs of the people they serve.

RESPONDING TO COMMUNITY NEEDS

The Conscious Connect Inc. Launched in 2016, The Conscious Connect Inc.’s mission is to reimagine and redevelop underutilized spaces for the purposes of education, culture, peace and health — so that zip codes do not define the success of children and families.

Nal’ibali Trust, “here’s the story,” in the isiXhosa language, is a national readingfor-enjoyment campaign to spark children’s potential through storytelling and reading.

Razia’s Ray of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 that improves the lives of young women and girls through community-based education in the rural district of Deh’Subz, Afghanistan.

INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS THROUGH LIBRARIES

Hartford Public Library In response to an influx of refugees into the area in 2000, Hartford Public Library received funding from a local foundation to establish a dedicated program for immigrants and refugees, known as The American Place (TAP).

The Jane Stern Community Library Begun as a lending library by activist Jane Stern in 1974, The Jane Stern Community Library quickly became a bilingual learning center as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation on an island with no public library tradition.

Meridian Library District, books are just the beginning, and branches are not just quiet places for learning. Serving the fastest-growing city of Idaho, the libraries focus their efforts on enriching lives, igniting curiosity and cultivating connections.

Riecken Community Libraries The Riecken Foundation provides access to information through 65 community libraries in rural, remote and often indigenous communities in Honduras and Guatemala.

WRITING AS A PATHWAY TO LITERACY

Literacy for Incarcerated Teens In 2009 Literacy for Incarcerated Teens (LIT) was formed to address the paucity of library services to incarcerated teens in New York.

LitWorld International Inc. mission is to strengthen kids and communities through the power of stories.

One World Education reinvigorates research and writing instruction with proven programs that provide curricula and training for teachers and learning experiences for students.

PEN/Faulkner Foundation celebrates literature and fosters connections between readers and writers to enrich and inspire both individuals and communities.

Western Massachusetts Writing Project (WMWP), a National Writing Project affiliate, is sponsored by the University of Massachusetts Amherst English Department and College of Humanities and Fine Arts. WMWP provides professional development for teachers and literacy workshops for youth.

FOSTERING A LOVE OF READING

Bring Me a Book provides book access to support kindergarten readiness and on-grade-level reading to under-resourced families and schools. It serves children zero through 8 through partners who inspire families, caregivers and teachers to read aloud with their children.

The Friends of Matènwa Inc. supports programs that offer Matènwa and the Haitian community opportunities to improve their education, health and welfare.

Ready for Reading (RfR), a Rwanda-based nonprofit organization founded in 2008, is dedicated to teaching reading and literacy skills and providing learning opportunities for people of all ages.  READ MORE >>

Past Winners & Honorees (2019-2013)

1st International Adult Literacy Learners and Tutors Conference :: November 6 - 8

November 6 – 8

1st International Adult Literacy Learners and Tutors Conference November 2019

ValueUSA

In November 2019 the first International Adult Literacy Learner and Tutor Conference will be held in Kampala, Uganda. VALUEUSA wants U.S. adult learners to participate in this event as we believe it’s a great opportunity to share practices and create an international network of support in this one of a kind event.

In partnership with the Ugandan Literacy & Adult Learners’ Association (ULALA), UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), Uganda National Commission for UNESCO (UNATOM), and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) VALUEUSA will be working to bring adult learner leaders to this event.  READ MORE >>

November 6 – 8

Kampala

The conference platform will provide the opportunity:

➤ for adult literacy learners, tutors and strategic partners to meet, exchange information and share experiences towards building a stronger network of allies and collaborators;

➤ to explore and find solutions to adult education & learning challenges so as to inform new practices and approaches;

➤ to undertake a review of relevant regional and global development plans to establish legal, fiscal and political commitment for engaging Adult literacy learners, Tutors and practitioners in the design and management of Adult Literacy and Education programs.

Graphic Truth: Changes in Global Literacy Over Time via GZERO Media

Graphic Truth: Changes in Global Literacy Over Time

GZERO Media: 9.06.2019 by Ari Winkleman,

Gabriella Turrisi and Gabrielle Debinski

International Literacy Day, which falls on September 8, was designated by UNESCO to celebrate advancements made in global literacy rates, and to highlight the chasm that still exists between education standards in different parts of the world. While in recent decades huge strides have been made in reducing illiteracy in low-income countries, 30 percent of adults from these regions will still be illiterate by 2030, according to UNESCO.

Here's a look at the change in adult literacy around the world from 1987-2016.

Literacy Reports & Statistics

International

   Ongoing

Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, PIRLS

Program for International Student Assessment,  PISA

Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, PIAAC

2019: Graphic Truth: Changes in Global Literacy Over Time, GZERO Media

2017: Literacy Rates Continue to Rise from One Generation to the Next, UNESCO Fact Sheet No. 45:

2016: Human Development Index, UNDP

2015: Economic & Social Cost of Illiteracy: A snapshot of illiteracy . . . World Literacy Foundation

2006: Literacy for Life, Global Monitoring Report, UNESCO

2003-12: Literacy Initiative for Empowerment (LIFE), UNESCO

The State of Global Literacy (And Where the United States Stands) via IMSE

@IMSEOG

The State of Global Literacy (And Where the United States Stands)

IMSE Journal: 8.14.2019

Even with increased attention from policymakers and the public, literacy trends are predicted to stay stagnant in middle and high-income countries over the next decade. In Francophone African countries, literacy rates are expected to drop by nearly a third by 2030.

Literacy is a bit of a trigger word in today’s landscape. Between Michigan’s Read by 3rd Grade retention law, the emphasis on media literacy, and the challenges of adult illiteracy across the world, some argue it’s a global crisis.

It is true that literacy rates have been trending up over the last 2 decades, going from 83% to 91%. However, according to UNESCO, there are still an estimated 617 million children in primary and lower secondary schools that lack minimum proficiency in reading. What’s more eye-opening is that 750 million adults still cannot read or write a simple sentence.

Even with increased attention from policymakers and the public, literacy trends are predicted to stay stagnant in middle and high-income countries over the next decade. In Francophone African countries, literacy rates are expected to drop by nearly a third by 2030.

And while you might think that the United States is at the forefront of literacy and education, it ranks 125th for literacy rate among all countries. The reasons for that are quite complex.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is comprised of 35 countries, most of which are from Europe. OECD compiles educational data from nations across the globe.

According to their latest report, the United States was one of only five countries in the OECD to cut education funding in the years leading up to the study. The United States spent approximately $12,800 per student on elementary and secondary education, which is 35% more than the OECD country average.

Where the United States starts to fall behind is how much knowledge students gain from their education. According to the Programme for International Student Assessment, 15-year-olds in the U.S. ranked 31st out of 35 OECD countries in standardized tests.iii

What more countries are starting to realize is that without a solid foundation of literacy skills, students are being set up to fail in all other areas of their education.

The stale educational adage of “learn to read, read to learn” is starting to show its many flaws, one of which is that everyone learns differently.  READ MORE >>

Literacy Reports & Statistics

Adult

2019: Adult Literacy in the United States, NCES 2019-179

2013: OECD Skills Outlook 2013: First Results from the Survey of Adult Skills, OECD

2009: Literacy of America's Least Literate Adults, NAAL 2003

2006: Literacy of America's College Students, AIR

2007: Literacy in Everyday Life, NAAL 2003

2003: National Assessment of Adult Literacy, NAAL

2000: Programs for Adults in Public Library Outlets, USDE, NCES

1992: National Adult Literacy Survey, NALS

International

Ongoing

Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, PIRLS

Program for International Student Assessment,  PISA

Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, PIAAC

2017: Literacy Rates Continue to Rise from One Generation to the Next, UNESCO Fact Sheet No. 45:

2016: Human Development Index, UNDP

2015: Economic & Social Cost of Illiteracy: A snapshot of illiteracy . . . World Literacy Foundation

2006: Literacy for Life, Global Monitoring Report, UNESCO

2003-12: Literacy Initiative for Empowerment (LIFE), UNESCO

Global Literacy Targets Already Off Track - Unesco via BBC News

High-level Political 

Forum (SDG 4)

Global Literacy Targets Already Off Track - Unesco

BBC News: 7.09.2019 by Sean Coughlan

Promises by world leaders to raise global education standards by 2030 are unlikely to be kept, warns the United Nations' education agency.

Unesco says on current trends, 30% of adults and 20% of young people will still be illiterate in poor countries.

There are 262 million young people without access to school, with the worst problems in sub-Saharan Africa.

The UN agency warns that the numbers missing out on education are unlikely to fall much in the next decade.

Education 2030

The report examines progress towards global targets, the "sustainable development goals", which in 2015 the international community committed to achieve by 2030.

Progress stalled

These included promises on education - but after four years, the projections from Unesco show, they are already off track and unlikely to be achieved without a significant change of direction.

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Lack of teachers

There are inequalities of access - such as barriers to girls and rural families getting an education.

But the biggest gap is related to poverty - with only 4% of youngsters in low-income families staying on to the end of secondary school.

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Damaged in war

Unesco also highlights the differences in outcomes between developing countries.

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Broken promises

This is the latest in a series of missed education targets after high-profile international pledges - despite education being seen as important for improving health and prosperity in poorer countries and preventing extremism.

Promises made in 1990 to ensure access to primary education were not achieved by the deadline of 2000.  READ MORE >>