Adult Literacy in Kentucky. A Report on the Kentucky Adult Literacy Survey

The Kentucky Adult Literacy Survey, which was based on the National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS), was conducted to determine the prose, document, and quantitative literacy levels of the state's adult population. Trained interviewers conducted hour-long interviews with 1,492 Kentucky citizens be...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors Jennings, Edward T., Jr, Whitler, Elmer T
Format Report
LanguageEnglish
Published 01.02.1997
Subjects
Adult Basic Education
Adult Literacy
Comparative Analysis
Educational Attainment
Functional Literacy
Kentucky
Literacy Education
National Adult Literacy Survey (NCES)
Numeracy
Parent Student Relationship
Reading Achievement
Social Status
State Surveys
United States
United States
Kentucky
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Summary:The Kentucky Adult Literacy Survey, which was based on the National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS), was conducted to determine the prose, document, and quantitative literacy levels of the state's adult population. Trained interviewers conducted hour-long interviews with 1,492 Kentucky citizens between the ages of 16 and 65 who had been selected through a random sample that was stratified by region to produce a statewide sample drawn from the state's five geographic regions. Respondents completed a literacy skills assessment instrument and answered questions regarding their background characteristics. Respondents' levels of prose, document, and quantitative literacy were rated from 0 to 500 (with scores of 0-225, 226-275, 276-325, 326-375, and 376-500 corresponding to levels 1-5 of literacy proficiency). The respective prose, document, and quantitative literacy proficiencies of all Kentucky adults averaged 286, 284, and 280 (versus average proficiency levels of 272, 267, and 271 measured by the NALS for the entire U.S. adult population, including senior citizens). Of those surveyed, approximately 14% had no or virtually no literacy skills. It was estimated that an additional 656,000 Kentucky adults have low literacy skill levels that are likely to impede their personal advancement. Literacy proficiencies were related to educational attainment, parental encouragement, and social background. (MN)