The definition of literacy is:  The ability to read and write.  However, a 2001 survey through the National Institute for Literacy states that only half of the US adult population (16-65 years of age) are minimally proficient.  34.1% of applicants tested by firms that responded to the survey lacked the basic skills necessary to perform the jobs they sought in 2000.  84.6% of the respondent firms did not hire skill-deficient applicants.  3.5% hired skill deficient applicants and assigned them to obligatory remedial training.

The National Center on the Educational Quality of the Workforce found that productivity increases in the manufacturing sector for each of the following factors:

*A 10% increase in the average education of all works is associated with an increase of 8.6% in productivity.

*A 10% increase in hours worked results in an increase of 5.6% in productivity

*And a 10% increase in capital stock results in an increase of 3.4% productivity.

*Children of parents who drop out of school are six times more likely to drop out.

What can we do? 

Rotary International encourages us to look at projects in the community as well as internationally.  Rotary International has a great article about a 3-H Grant that introduces the concentrated language encounter method to Brazil. Make sure you read our own newsletter to learn more about it. Please think about areas in our community that might be in need of our help with literacy issues.  What can we add to their efforts that will make a difference?  Do they need financial help?  Or do they need our support in other ways? Be ready to share with the group.