Literacy Works

Literacy: A Good Investment For...

...your business...your family...your community...and you

Today's workplace demands highly skilled workers. Businesses that will be successful will need employees who are literate in a variety of areas.

Literacy in the 21st century means the ability to:

• perform the basic skills of reading, writing, and computation
• apply knowledge and skills in real-life situations
• reason, solve problems, think critically and creatively
• communicate clearly
• work effectively with others
• use and adapt to changing technologies

Ensuring a literate population --- and a competent workforce --- is a responsibility shared by all who have a stake in Maryland's economic future and the quality of life for its citizens.

Did you know?

In Maryland

• 772.306 adults did not complete high school according to the 1990 Census.
• Of that number 257,518 completed fewer than 9 years of school.
• Over 150 programs are available throughout the state to provide adult literacy instruction, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, and high school completion support.

Nationally

• Workers who lack a high school diploma earn a mean annual income of $16, 068, compared to $22,464 for those with a high school credential.
• 23% of those who were on public assistance when they enrolled in a family literacy program are now self-sufficient.
• Parents' educational attainment is the single best predictor of a child's success.
• Unemployment is nearly twice as high for non high school completers, compared to high school graduates (with no college).

Literacy Works seeks to raise the level of awareness of Maryland businesses and government leaders about the importance of literacy. It seeks the support of individuals, corporations, labor, and other organizations in expanding the availability of, and participation in, literacy programs.

Let us all do our part to ensure that Literacy Works is successful. The Literacy Works Campaign is a great way for the public and private sectors to unite in declaring their support and commitment to create e a highly skilled and literate workforce in Maryland.

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