Summary of Literacy Needs in Wisconsin

The Fall 2008 edition of "Literacy Matters," the newsletter for Wisconsin
Literacy, Inc., includes some interesting data on literacy needs in
Wisconsin. The article summarized data submitted by 49 literacy
agencies. Some of the highlights included:

* 24 of the 49 literacy providers have a waiting list of learners
waiting for a tutor.
* There are currently 662 learners on the waiting lists.
* There are 3,299 active volunteer tutors.
* In 2007-08 the number of volunteer tutoring hours was 230,121.
* The literacy providers served 9,910 Adult Basic Literacy learners 
in 2007-08.
* The literacy providers served 5,363 English as a Second Language 
learners in 2007-08.


* The total number of learners served was 15,273.
* 1,059 learners advanced at least one level on the National
Reporting System standards in reading, writing, speaking, listening,
or math.
* 803 literacy students completed their GED or high school
equivalency exams.
* 898 learners were able to keep their current jobs.
* 316 students got better jobs because of their improved literacy
skills.
* 43 students went on to post-secondary training or education.

~Barb Huntington