In Arkansas, 23% of adults aged 16 and older lack basic literacy skills (NCES, 2017). Nearly 11% of Arkansans aged 25 and over (223,437 adults) do not have a high school diploma or GED. Additionally, over 82,740 individuals have an education level below the ninth grade (American Community Survey, 2022). Adults with low literacy skills often struggle to navigate the healthcare system, understand food and prescription labels, complete job applications, support their children’s educational development, and manage their finances. These challenges significantly hinder their ability to find and maintain employment and create barriers that prevent them from fully participating as engaged community members.
See data from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2024.
ALA Provides a Solution
Fortunately, when Arkansans who need it seek or accept help, community based literacy councils are there to provide instruction, materials and support. A critical part of the programs’ success is one-on-one instruction in a private setting provided by well-trained volunteer literacy tutors at no charge. Our tutors understand the value of teaching an adult to read and the profound and lasting impact is has on their ability to successfully function within their community.
ALA Produces Outcomes
For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024:
– 2,183 Arkansas adults received free educational instruction
– 1,031Arkansas adults learned to speak English or to speak English better
– 600 Arkansas adults learned to read or learned to read better
– 1,904 personal and educational goals were achieved
– 48,385 instructional hours were provided
– 362 Arkansans served as volunteer tutors and provided 30,332 hours of instruction
ALA tutors contributed $1.6 million worth of service hours, according to Independent Sector, a nonprofit that calculates the value of a volunteer hour. Including pre- and post-lesson preparation, board meetings, and special projects, literacy council volunteers contribute over $3 million in services to Arkansas’ adult education each year.
