Literacy Facts

Adult Education in Louisiana

• One in four adults in Louisiana does not have a high school diploma. (US Census Bureau)
• One in six adults in Louisiana reads at the lowest literacy level. (National Assessment of Adult Literacy 2003)
• Over 800,000 Louisiana adults need adult education services, yet only 42,000 receive them! (La. Department of Education FY 08-09)
• Louisiana spent less than $40 in state general funds per student in Adult Basic Education.(WIA program not GED Options.) (La. Department of Education FY 09-10)

Economic Influence

• If these adults were to complete a high school diploma or equivalent and the additional earnings associated with it, Louisiana would experience an increase in personal income of over 5 billion dollars. (National Center for Higher Education Management Systems 2007)
• Only 2-3% of our workforce comes from recently graduated high school students. (National Center for Education Statistics)
• Even if every high school and post-secondary school system in the U.S. performs at the highest level, the U.S. will still fall short of the job requirements predicted for 2025. (National Center for Higher Education Management Systems 2007)
• Adult education must become a mainstream component of workforce development. This will require large numbers of adults to quickly acquire needed basic skills and find pathways to postsecondary attainment and employment. (Lumina Foundation)

Schools and Kids

• Children with parents in school or training are less likely to drop out of school. (National Institute for Literacy)
• A mother’s educational attainment is the most significant predictor of a child’s future educational success – more significant than income level or employment status. (Educational Testing Service)

Crime

• Louisiana spends almost $40 per day to incarcerate an adult. (La. Department of Corrections)
• Prison Education impacts recidivism: 20% who participate are re-incarcerated, compared to almost 50% re-incarceration for adults who do not attend prison education. (ProLiteracy America 2003)

Search Our Site

Search

Search

Census 2000 Diploma Graph

Quick & Dirty Facts About Literacy

• About 25% of adults in our region do not have a high school diploma; about half of those are functioning at the lowest literacy level.
• Last year only 10,000 students were served in 19 New Orleans area programs.  The average new learner tested in at 5th grade for reading and math skills.
• Federal funding for adult education is $220/student; compare to Head Start $6000/student; K-12 $6500+ per student; Higher Education $16,000/per student.

A Literal Fact

Federal funding for adult education is $220/student; compare to Head Start $6000/student; K-12 $6500+ per student; Higher Education $16,000/per student.

Did You Know?

About 25% of adults in our region do not have a high school diploma; about half of those are functioning at the lowest literacy level.

Literacy Alliance of Greater New Orleans

Phone: 504-864-7077
Fax: 504-864-7088
[email protected]