Experts Want To Know Why Illiteracy Is Becoming Such A Huge Problem

One of humankind’s most important societal evolutions has been the proliferation of literacy. The ability to read, once limited to only an elite few, has become accessible to the masses, providing limitless opportunities in return.

But there’s a troubling trend in America’s education system, and one recent report reveals just how serious the situation has become.

“A large-scale international study”

National Center for Education Statistics Commissioner Peggy Carr is sounding the alarm after the results of a major survey found a staggering increase in illiteracy since 2017. According to the Survey of Adult Skills, the percentage of individuals around the world who rank at the lowest level of reading proficiency was 19% in 2017 and had jumped to 28% by 2023.

“It is larger than what we would normally see in an international assessment, particularly literacy, which is a fairly stable construct,” Carr explained.

The survey collects data from Americans aged 16-74 and individuals 16-65 in other countries.

“It is designed to assess and compare adults’ skills in participating countries over a broad range of abilities, from reading simple passages to complex problem-solving skills, and to collect information on an individual's skill use and background,” the agency explained.

What it means for America

Although the survey is described as “a large-scale international study of key cognitive and workplace skills of adults,” Carr noted that there is plenty for U.S. educators to learn from the results.

For example, the study also identified a deficiency in skills like working with numbers and adaptive problem-solving.

It’s worth noting that scoring low on the survey doesn’t mean a person is illiterate on an individual basis, but the cumulative impact of the global survey is clear evidence of a trend.

As for what’s causing it, Carr acknowledged that “it is difficult to say.”

Chris Agee December 13th, 2024

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