The problem of illiteracy

The problem of illiteracy is widespread, both in the United States at large and in our own local area. Did you know that…

• 50% of U.S. adults function at or below the second of five levels of literacy. (Source: NIFL)
  
• 1 in 5 adults read at or below the fifth-grade reading level, not high enough to earn
  a living (Source: NIFL)
  
• The U.S. ranks 10th in literacy out of 17 high-income countries!
  
• In Pennsylvania, 48% of adults are at or below level 2, and in Norristown Borough, 56% of adults are at or below level 2. (Source: CASAS)

Illiteracy is not just a problem that affects the individual; it affects society at large.

• 43% of adults falling into the lowest literacy level live in poverty.
  
• Low-literacy adults make an average of 35% of the wage of those at the highest levels of literacy.
  
• 70% of mothers on welfare fall into the lowest two levels of literacy, and the literacy level of the mother is an important predictor of her child's future literacy level.
  
• 70% of prisoners are at or below literacy level 2. (Source: ETS)

Helping someone raise their level of English literacy can enable them to do things that the literate native speaker takes for granted. Imagine not being able to read to your child or help them with their homework, not being able to fill out an application, not being able to understand a doctor's instructions, or not being able to read a map.

Response to illiteracy

The Literacy Council of Norristown and other organizations like us were formed to address the illiteracy problem by training volunteer tutors to work one-on-one or in small groups with adults needing help, at no cost to the student. We provide training and materials to enable our tutors to tackle illiteracy one person at a time.

Working one-on-one or in small groups lets our tutors tailor the instruction to the needs and goals of their student. New tutors are asked to work with their student approximately three hours per week at a mutually convenient time. The goals our adult students reach are as varied as the adults: some go on to get a job or advance in their current jobs, some get their high school equivalency (GED) or go on to advanced education, some are able to read to their child for the first time, some obtain their citizenship, some become more comfortable speaking English in public. Many of our tutors have told us that they are not sure who is more rewarded, the tutor or the student!

You can help!

• LCN is always in need of volunteer tutors. Please click here for information about upcoming tutor training workshops.
  
• If you have skills in areas other than tutoring, LCN can also use your help.
  
• We periodically solicit interested, committed community volunteers for our Board of Directors.
  
• Financial contributions of any size are always welcome, and are tax-deductible. If your employer has a charitable payroll deduction program, please designate the Literacy Council of Norristown. Our United Way donor number is 8943.
  
• If you have office equipment in good working condition that you are willing to donate, LCN may be able to use it.
  
• To volunteer or donate, please call 610-292-8515, e-mail us at lcnlit@proinbox.com, or mail us at LCN, 113 E. Airy Street, Norristown PA 19401.