Deep Vellum’s position on improving literacy among adults
Background
The United States is one of the most literate countries in the world. Times have changed
so drastically for the better in regard to education, and they still continue to change. From the
Puritans that worked to achieve universal literacy to the increased paper production courtesy of
the Industrial Revolution, adult literacy rates have been on the incline for decades (Literary
Council, 2022).
According to statistics from the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES),
gauging literacy in previous decades was measured by strictly an ability to read and write.
Therefore, the illiteracy rate in the United States in 1870 was 20%, with an 80% literacy rate.
However, in more recent years, the articles states that the focus is more geared towards
functional literacy. Essentially, we now measure literacy by how well one’s educational level
would function in today’s society. With that qualification in mind, the literacy rate for 2022,
according to more data provided by the NCES, was measured at 79%, with an illiteracy rate of
21%.
Though the United States literacy rates have increased over the years, we were still
looking at about 69.8 million illiterate citizens in 2022. Literacy, especially that among adults, is
crucial both personally and socially. With the world moving more digitally, as well as having
dealt with a world turning pandemic, maintaining steady literacy rates has become a necessary
focus point.
Deep Vellum’s official position
Deep Vellum is a firm supporter of encouraging adults to improve their literacy skills.
According to their organization’s website, having been created with the goal of “bringing the
world into conversation through literature,” the nonprofit strives to increase literacy and culture
among patrons, specifically in the Dallas area.
Benefits
Though literacy itself is a skill, being educated provides people with more opportunities.
Those who have low literacy rates are less likely to move up in a company as far as someone
with a higher literary skillset. They are also more likely to get lower paying jobs and/or become
unemployed (OECD, 2013). Improving literacy among adults provides them with the fighting
chance to move up in their career, or even the opportunity to begin a career.
Higher literacy rates also improve personal wellbeing and community involvement.
Those with low literacy skills struggle with everyday activities, poor health and social isolation.
Literacy impacts life satisfaction, with those of a lower literacy rate or complete illiteracy
claiming a life satisfaction rate of 50% (YMCA, 2022). Becoming more literate opens a person
up to the idea of more occasions to socialize. It creates a sense of confidence.
Arguments
1. Those with low literacy rates are less likely to look out for learning opportunities due to
the stigma behind being perceived as illiterate (EC/ECEA/Eurydice, 2015). It’s unlikely
for those in adulthood to go searching for education, especially on literacy. Yes, it’s about
the stubbornness and the stigma. However, those with lower literacy rates also have a
difficult time recognizing their struggles. According to an article written by Hendrickje
Catriona Windisch, they perceive their skills as the “local norm,” essentially making them
unaware of the issue.
2. An issue with a lot of adults enrolled in courses and programs is the dropout rate.
Whether it’s about the experience or their personal reason, according to statistics from the
Education Data Initiative, most college dropouts are between 35 and 64 years old. There
are solutions to this issue, it’s just about finding the right one for the situation. Bringing
the program to them is one way. Don’t make educating more of a hassle than it needs to
be.
Recommendations
Work with companies to create an office adult skills educational course
o Include literacy education, numeracy education and more
o For adults, finding time to educate themselves while maintaining a career and
family feels nearly impossible (Windisch, 2016). Providing this office course
gives adult workers the opportunity to learn without going out of their way.
Create public awareness campaigns and/or initiatives
o Promote literary awareness and education
o Utilize social media, radio, television, etc.
o India formed the Saakshar Bharat, a “literacy scheme,” with the goal of increasing
women’s literacy. According to their website, they’ve worked hard to publicly
promote their initiative by utilizing various platforms, as well as hiring celebrities
to attract more viewers.
Work with colleges to create a credit-based book club
o Improving adult literacy doesn’t have to start after school. College students, if not
already adults, are soon on their way. Starting while they are younger increases
the likelihood of actually improving their literacy.
o College students are more likely to complete a program and/or course than
nonstudents, adults and the like (Windisch, 2016).
Conclusion
Literacy is something everyone should excel at. There are zero negatives to becoming
more informed. Higher literacy rates better the lives of the individual, as well as those around
them. Everyone deserves to have the proper education to move forward in a positive direction.
With the right plans and the right execution, adults with lower literacy rates will have the
opportunity to learn and grow.
References
Deep Vellum Team. (n.d.). History. Deep Vellum. https://www.deepvellum.org/history
EC/EACEA/Eurydice (European Commission/Education, Audiovisual and Cultural Executive
Agency/ Eurydice) (2015). Adult education and training in Europe: Widening access to
learning opportunities. Eurydice Report. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the
European Union. Accessed 11 May 2015
Hanson, Melanie. “College Dropout Rates” EducationData.org, June 17, 2022,
https://educationdata.org/college-dropout-rates
Literacy Council. (2022, November 29). The History of American Literacy. Literacy Council
Gulf Coast. https://literacygulfcoast.org/the-history-of-american-literacy/
National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL). (n.d.). National Assessment of Adult Literacy
(NAAL). National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Home Page, a part of the U.S.
Department of Education. https://nces.ed.gov/naal/lit_history.asp
OECD. (2013a). OECD skills outlook 2013: First results from the survey of adult skills. Paris:
OECD Publishing. doi:10.1787/9789264204256-en.
UNESCO. (2016, October 31). Saakshar Bharat Mission, India. UNESCO Institute for Lifelong
Learning. https://uil.unesco.org/case-study/effective-practices-database-litbase-0/
saakshar-bharat-mission-india
U.S. Department of Education. (2019, July). Adult Literacy in the United States. National Center
for Education Statistics.
https://web.archive.org/web/20200730223012/https:/nces.ed.gov/datapoints/2019179.asp
Windisch, H.C. How to motivate adults with low literacy and numeracy skills to engage and
persist in learning: A literature review of policy interventions. Int Rev Educ 62, 279–297
(2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11159-016-9553-x
YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. (2022, September 21). The benefits of literacy in our Communities.
https://ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca/the-benefits-of-literacy-in-our-communities/
