Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/

[Judy Hallman <hallman AT email.unc.edu>]

To InternetWorkers:

Here is more info on literacy in Wake County from
Monica Angelucci, Executive Director, Literacy Council of Wake County.
I sent two question. Here are both of her responses. Thanks for the info,
Monica.
   Judy Hallman (hallman AT rtpnet.org)
--------------
> There are some statistics are at the bottom of the home page.
> So is the 36% level 1 + level 2?

Yes!  The actual stats are:
Level 1 (0 - 8th grade) = 17%
Level 2 (9th - 12th grade) = 19%

The stats are probably higher as these are based on 1990 census data and
Wake County did not have as large a hispanic/latino population.  Wake County
is now the fastest growing Hispanic/Latino community in the COUNTRY!

Monica
-------------------
The quote you included in your e-mail was taken from our brochure.  This
information is based upon the National Adult Literacy Survey Synthetic
Statistics for Wake County.

In 1993, Stephen Reder and other researchers at the Northwest Regional
Educational Laboratories, Portland State University, developed "synthetic
estimates" of literacy. They combined Census data elements known to
relate to literacy (e.g. poverty, education level) and applied
statistical formulas to produce estimates of literacy levels that are not
available from any single source. By comparing these synthetic estimates
against actual NALS (National Adult Literacy Survey) performance for each
of the SALS (State Adult Literacy Survey) states, the researchers are
able to demonstrate consistency between actual results and synthetic
estimates. Thus, for states that did not participate in SALS, it is
possible to estimate literacy levels using Census data. In 1997, Reder
and his associates extended the synthetic estimates to local counties,
and in some cases cities. The 1997 synthetic estimates use updated Census
data, slightly changing the statewide synthetic estimates and giving us
more specific information about smaller units of population (exerpted
from Literacy in North Carolina by Mary Siedow).

Of that 36% you quoted, 19% actually read and write below an 8th grade
level.  If you require more information, please let me know.

Thanks!
Monica