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New Literacy and Numeracy Data Spell Trouble Ahead

Marcus J. Hopkins
Dec 10, 20242 min read

Updated: Jan 5

The image is a horizontal bar chart titled "Literacy in the United States," depicting literacy levels across three time periods: 2012/14, 2017, and 2023. The chart has horizontal bars for each year, split into three levels of literacy proficiency: "Level 1 or below," "Level 2," and "Level 3 or above." In 2012/14, 18% were at Level 1 or below, 33% at Level 2, and 50% at Level 3 or above. In 2017, 19% were at Level 1 or below, 33% at Level 2, and 48% at Level 3 or above. In 2023, 28% were at Level 1 or below, 29% at Level 2, and 44% at Level 3 or above. Below the chart is text stating that nearly 57% of adults in the United States read at or below an 8th-grade level. The chart is from the Appalachian Learning Initiative and the National Center for Education Statistics, 2024.
New data indicate that 57% of adults in the United States read at or below an 8th Grade level. (National Center for Education Statistics, 2024)

By: Marcus J. Hopkins

December 10th, 2024


New literacy and numeracy data released by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) found that a significantly larger percentage of adults living in the United States struggle with basic reading.


These findings continue a troubling trend of fewer and fewer adults being able to read above an 8th Grade level.


The most significant increase among ability levels occurred in the percentage of adults who at or below 3rd Grade level, which increased from 19% in 2017 to 28% in 2023—a 47.4% increase.


"I have been following statistics related to adult reading proficiency for nearly a decade," said Marcus J. Hopkins, Founder and Executive Director fo the Appalachian Learning Initiative (APPLI, pronounced like "apply"). "I've rarely seen such a significant increase in the percentage of adults who would be classified as 'functionally illiterate.'"


The findings are the first data release about the 2023 round of testing using the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, or PIAAC. The testing, conducted in 2023 using tablet computers, is one of the primary tools used to assess and compare adult ability levels not only in the United States, but in other counties in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).


The image is a horizontal bar chart titled "Numeracy in the United States," showing the proficiency levels of adults in numeracy for the years 2012/14, 2017, and 2023. The chart has three horizontal bars, each divided into three segments representing different proficiency levels. "Level 1 or below" is shown in dark green, "Level 2" in medium green, and "Level 3 or above" in light green. For 2012/14, 28% are at Level 1, 34% at Level 2, and 39% at Level 3. In 2017, 29% are at Level 1, 33% at Level 2, and 37% at Level 3. For 2023, 34% are at Level 1, 28% at Level 2, and 38% at Level 3. A text below the chart indicates a finding that more than 62% of U.S. adults struggle with math problems involving more than three steps. Additional text provides organizational and social media information.
Roughly 62% of adults in the United States struggled to solve math problems with more than 3 steps (National Center for Education Statistics, 2024)

The results for adult numeracy were equally troubling. While the percentage of adults who struggle to solve math problems with more than 3 steps—62%—has remained relatively stable across all testing years, the percentage of adults who struggle to solve one-step math problems increased significantly, from 29% in 2017 to 34% in 2023.


"This initial data release essentially confirms what we at APPLI have believed all along: it's time for the United States to start prioritizing adult basic education spending and infrastructure."


In 2024, the Federal government allocated $715,361,461 to address adult educational efforts in the United States (United States Department of Education, 2024). With an estimated 148.7 million adults in the United States in need of remedial literacy education, this amounts to approximately $4.81 in education spending per adult—substantially less than what will be realistically needed to address the literacy gaps in this country. We know that not every adult who needs educational services will choose or be able to avail themselves to those services...assuming those services exist where they live.


The full data have not yet been released, meaning that state- and county-level data are not yet available, nor has the Skills Map made available by the NCES been updated with current data. The NCES website has indicated that the complete findings will be made availabe in 2025.


APPLI will continue to monitor this story as it develops.

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