Literacy Connections PIACC Data

If we want to help children achieve academic success, we MUST invest in adult literacy education for parents.

According to PIACC data, which is available on our website, 27.3% of Wayne County adults read below a level 1 in literacy and 42% score below a level 1 in numeracy. A functionally illiterate adult struggles with filling out job applications, paying bills, and understanding and managing health conditions.

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that a mother's reading skill is the greatest determinant of her children’s future academic success, outweighing other factors, such as neighborhood and family income especially during the formative years of birth through third grade.

Children of low-literate parents grow up in homes with no print around them, and are exposed to 30,000,000 fewer words than their peers by the time they enter kindergarten.

Literacy Connections works with parents to increase their literacy skills and model how to engage in the education of their children. We have seen school children increase their grades from D’s and F’s to A’s and B’s when parents are able to be involved! 

Adult literacy instruction is essential to provide a stronger base for parents to encourage and assist in the education of their children. The literacy level of adults is a key element in the effort to improve cross-generational low literacy skills.

If you would like to volunteer to tutor adults who are working to improve their literacy skills, please contact us at 919-735-1990 or visit our website at https://www.literacyconnectionsofwaynecounty.org/

Photo Caption:

Lucas, Stephanie, Carter and Wyatt modeling reading skills as a family during Story Time Online with Literacy Connections program.