Read, Writing & Math are the Basics of Learning

Key Details on U.S. Literacy:

1. Functional Literacy: According to various studies, around 21% of adults in the U.S. fall below a level considered "functionally literate." They may struggle with reading comprehension, basic math, or understanding complex written instructions (such as interpreting medical forms or job applications). This can affect their ability to navigate daily life or perform effectively in many jobs.

2. Adult Literacy Levels: The Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) measures literacy proficiency in adults in several developed countries. It found that:

   - 43 million Americans (around 1 in 5 adults) have low literacy skills. This means they read below a 6th-grade level, limiting their ability to compare information from multiple sources or understand written instructions.

   - Around 54% of U.S. adults read below a high school level, which can limit career advancement and daily task management.

3. International Comparisons: When ranked against other developed nations, the U.S. literacy levels for adults fall around the middle or lower-middle in recent assessments. Countries like Japan, Finland, and the Netherlands perform better in terms of both basic and functional literacy.

   - For example, in the PIAAC survey, the U.S. ranked 16th out of 34 OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries in adult literacy.