# data[].attributes.body
Read and take notes on this article for the main ideas, such as social implications, personal difficulties, and financial stability in America. Then respond with a few things that stood out to you from the reading. Your opinion is certainly welcome here too. Then, post to at least ONE peer with meaningful content connecting with their ideas.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Annie Waldman, Aliyya Swaby and Anna Clark, with additional reporting by Nicole Santa Cruz, photography by Kathleen Flynn

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why America Fails Adults Who Struggle to Read

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The nation’s approach to adult education has so far neglected to connect the millions of people struggling to read with the programs set up to help them.

# data[].attributes.headline
Thoughts on the Article - Clarisa DeVore

# data[].attributes.subject
Thoughts on the Article - Clarisa DeVore

# data[].attributes.body
I'm not sure if it was just that I was listening to classical music while reading (I've found this to be so helpful in keeping me focused when reading), but this article and the last two I read (Poor Shaming - but this time in the School Cafeteria and People are like Icebergs) made me very emotional.

I believe that to some extent we often take our ability to read and write for granted. It's like a given. I don't think about the fact that I can read and write, and don't often consider how many people might struggle to either. Not for a lack of caring, but because I never looked into how much of a problem this actually is. Knowing this now has opened my eyes to something I did not know was such a huge issue.

Reading this article and seeing just how many people lack this privilege saddens me. Some things that stood out to me were:

"in a nation whose education system is among the most unequal in the industrialized world"

48 million or 23% of adults struggle to read.

Entire system set up to prioritize students who can quickly graduate with high school or work credentials.

Wait lists and overstuffed classes lead by uncertified part-time/volunteer teachers.

The term "literacy desert".

"an invisible epidemic" and "functionally illiterate"

This is horrible. I think about how often I am required to read. Text messages, emails, bills, documents at work, school assignments, helping my children with school work. I can't even begin to imagine how I'd feel if I were unable to read or write. Let alone how it would break my heart to be unable to support my children in that way.

I started to feel better hearing of the programs to create a support for those in need of these skills. Only to be let down by the fact that they were still not assisting those who needed it most. The fact that they were not prioritized or fell through the cracks is sad.

It seems like they start off strong but slowly dissolve into programs that are looking for quick change and immediate results. This is not possible for those that lack the basic reading skills to succeed in this face paced environment. This only creates more of an obstacle for them as they may feel it's impossible or not an option.

I felt happy to hear of programs like Literacy Mid-South and Detroit's Skills for Life program. I thought it was a bit insane to think that government programs lack the ability to show genuine interest in helping those in need, while smaller programs without government funding show more interest and seem more invested in change.

I feel like I can go on and on about this, mostly because it upsets me to think about those that struggle. It is personal in some way because I have family members that dropped out of school at a young age. It makes me wonder if they had the opportunity to return to school, apply for programs or if they were unaware of the resources.

This definitely pulled on my heart strings and made me want to do something to help. Every bit counts.

# data[].attributes.body
When reading this article I became shocked at the amount of people who are unable to read. 48 million which is 23% of adults do not know how or struggle to read. A sentence that stuck with me was, “They can’t comprehend their bills.” I could not image struggling to read my bills when I am older while also paying them. This makes everything 10 times more difficult for adults that struggle with reading or literacy. I do not think I have ever actually looked at statistics on this and seeing them for the first time upsets me. I am lucky enough to have a strong ability to read and write but saddened that others do not have the same. I am grateful that programs are being made to help adults or people who are unable to read fully. An example is the Literacy Mid-South. To conclude, I never fully understood how deep of an issue this was and how many people this affected especially with their daily life.

# data[].attributes.body
This article was shocking. I never would have thought that so many people in the U.S were struggling with literacy. 48 million people who cannot read is an overwhelming amount. The next thing I thought was, why is this not more talked about. Had I not had this class and read this article I would likely never even know about this issue. hearing how the system is essentially set up as a fast track rather than true help is appalling, we fund so many things less important than literacy in adults. having read that most of them who need extended help are people with learning disabilities that have gone undiagnosed was hard to hear, they must have had such a hard time in school and then to have to try and do it again without proper resources and funding.

# data[].attributes.body
One thing that stood out to me was how many adults struggle to read, way more than I expected. It’s not just a personal issue either, it affects jobs, money, and whole communities. I also thought it was frustrating how hard it is for people to get help. Even when programs exist, people can’t always access them because of work, transportation, or waitlists. The part about it being passed down through families was interesting too. It shows how the system isn’t really fixing the problem, just continuing it.

# data[].attributes.body
This article made me think how lucky Iam to have the priveledge of getting an education. It made me realize that some people are not lucky as I am. Its sad that people are illiterate and not have the education to live life to the fullest. They struggle through life just to make ends meet. I think poverty is so high in America because of people have no money to feed their family. They have no education to get a good job. The work available doesnt pay much.

I admire some people despite the life that they are dealt with overcome their struggle. This inspires me to work harder and achieve my goals. If life throws you lemons make lemonde out of them.

# data[].attributes.body
After reading the article, i never would have thought that there were so many people who were unable to read. It said that 48 million adults in the United States, which is 23% of the population, struggle to read. I’ve been able to read for as long as I can remember and seeing that almost a quarter of americans can’t, it makes me grateful that I was able to get the education I have. It is good to see that the government is responding to this issue by giving free education to adults who can’t read. Though the programs do help a lot of people, it sucks to see the ones who live to far and can’t afford to get to them. I knew that struggling to read was a problem in some places, but i never knew how big of an issue it was and hope soon there will be more programs and more of an opportunity for people to get their education.

# data[].attributes.body
One thing that stood out to me was how difficult it can be for adults to try and learn the basics about literacy. Everyone these days just assumes you know how to read, but that’s not the case for many adults. After reading more about the article I found that maybe if we are able to have a complete separate program for adults to learn their basic reading skills, so that way they can, support their families, get jobs, and just be able to have basic skills for more down the road. Also there should be many different options or ways to this course to get the full learning experience even if the person struggles with transportation, childcare, or flexible scheduling.

# data[].attributes.body
This article was very interesting there were things that I read that I did not know. One thing that stood out to me was how serious adult illliteracy is and how it affects peoples everyday life. One main idea is the social impact since adults who struggle to read often feel embarrassed and avoid situations like filling out forms or helping their kids with schoolwork. The article also explains how this connects to financial stability, because people with low reading skills often have fewer job opportunities and lower.-paying jobs. What surprised me the most is how the system doesn't provide enough support for these adults even though literacy is so important my opinion, there should be more accessible programs and resources to help adults improve their reading skills because it can change their life and give them more opportunities.

# data[].attributes.body
This article truly shocked me. The amount of people and even adults who struggle with reading is unbelievable. It’s sad to hear about this especially because I have been so blessed to be able to have access to education and learning that teaches me the things these people are struggling with. It definitely opened my eyes always think about how someone’s situation is worse than mine. The thing that shocked me the most was the statistic that 23 percent of people struggle. Thats over a fifth of the population. Another thing that I found interesting was when the passage said that local programs could help lower this percentage. I agree and think that others who read this passage could help to improve this as well.

# data[].attributes.body
After reading this article it was shocking to see the statistics of adults who struggle to read and it being an issue that often goes unnoticed. As well as, many counties not having a physical location offering adult education classes, for those who need support the most . Many Adults seeking education but there being limited spots available or having to be put on a wait list was probably discouraging. It was inspiring to read that even when the government was not funding the programs as needed, there were still people who volunteered to help for free as much as they could. And that made me say to myself "Not all heroes wear capes." Another part of the article that stood out to me was The story about Jacqueline Davis and her daughter Mecca Stevenson. Stevenson witnessing her mom struggle with homework while Davis felt too embarrassed to ask for help, Shows how pride and stigma can prevent people from looking for assistance. It hurts to think of other adults that didn't finish school could possibly feel the same way that Davis felt, being too embarrassed to ask for help. I believe with a lot of awareness, funding, and support, meaningful change is possible. Empower people and create stronger opportunities for future generations.

# data[].attributes.body
After reading this article I was already shocked in the beginning when the author says in Amite County where a third of adults struggle to read. Also a big thing that stood out to me was the nationwide graduation rates have risen, the number of adults who struggle have still remained very high with 48 million people or 23%. With given this information I never knew how fourtunate I am with the education I am given. I am also realizing how grateful I am for my mom for teaching me the things I know now. It also makes adult life very hard if you cant read or write because how do you surivive without those basic needs.

# data[].attributes.body
The article argues that the United States is facing a major adult literacy crisis, with about 48 million adults struggling to read, largely due to failures in the education system and ineffective adult learning programs. Many students are not properly taught reading skills in school, especially in underfunded or disadvantaged areas, and this problem continues into adulthood. Although adult education programs were created to help, they are underfunded, unevenly distributed, and often focused on quickly pushing students toward diplomas or job certifications rather than actually teaching foundational reading skills. As a result, people who need the most help are often left behind. The article shows how this issue affects not just individuals, but entire communities by limiting job opportunities and economic growth. While some programs, like one-on-one tutoring or paid learning initiatives, have shown success, they are rare and not widely supported, leaving millions of adults without the resources they need to improve their literacy.

# data[].attributes.body
While reading this article, it made me feel lucky to be able to read and continue my education to better myself. I think it is sad with how many struggle to write/read, but think it is amazing that things are being done to help those who lack the ability. This article opened my eyes to how many people actually cannot read or write and unfortunately I have never even thought about it. I can only imagine at how they feel and how it affects every day life. - Sarah Oswald

# data[].attributes.body
After reading this article I am a little bit stunned. I had no idea that about 48 million people in the US cannot read and this was shocking. I always thought that this country was among the best in the world with literacy. This just made me think how lucky I am to have had a good high school and am now receiving a college education. Also, seeing that some systems are set up more to get kids through it than to actually teach and help them is crazy. It defeats the whole purpose of schooling and all the funding, or lack of, these systems get. Hearing some of the stories mentioned in the article is inspiring though, seeing how these people were determined to not let their lack of education get the best of them, get a career, and use it to help raise awareness for similar communities is great.

# data[].attributes.body
Many of you are realizing the disproportionate impact illiteracy has on people of color and those who are struggling financially. If you cannot read and write, you are stuck with very few job options. With those jobs, employers do not pay much for the work that these employees do. It is difficult to get a job or keep one. Then, you would need to work long hours and days to make the money you need to support a family and yourself. Then, in areas where schools are failing, employers leave and take businesses elsewhere. The people who can follow the employer to a "nicer" area, the schools become strong and supported by those with privilege. This is a vicious cycle that reinforces illiteracy and poverty as real outcomes for those who lack privilege and choice. Not everyone will or can follow the employer. That would mean moving or a long commute. Many people in poverty do not have reliable transportation. So, the bus is used. That is more time going to and coming home from work. Less time for your kids and helping them with schoolwork, etc.- or the inability to help. Then, generational impacts occur. If your parents don't have the privilege of quality education, you most likely will struggle too, on some level, even if it is navigating the educational landscape, such as applying to colleges, visiting colleges, understanding financial aid, filing taxes for eligibility for financial aid, etc. all of which become barriers to your success.

# data[].attributes.body
One thing that stood out is how about 48 million adults in the U.S. struggle to read, which affects their ability to get jobs and even read their bills which is really showing to how literacy connects to financial stability and daily life. I also think it’s surprising and concerning that many programs meant to help are underfunded or hard to access, meaning people are often “failed twice” by both schools and adult education systems.

# data[].attributes.body
When reading this article, it makes me so grateful that I have an opportunity to have an education, and in the article, it talks about how many adults in the United States struggle with reading and how the system meant to help them often doesn’t work well. A lot of education programs don’t have enough funding and focus more on getting people a quick certificate rather than actually teaching basic reading skills. Because of this, most adults are often left behind. The article also explains that where someone lives really matters, since some areas don’t have enough support at all. What stood out to me was how struggling to read can affect someone’s job, money, and confidence, and how this isn’t just a personal problem but something the country needs to fix.

# data[].attributes.body
When reading this article something that stood out to me was when i saw how many adults cannot read. 48 million which is 23% of adults do not how to read and struggle to read. Adult education is underfunded and seem to be hard to access. Due due to this many adults become jobless which leads to poverty all around the world. It's genuinely sad that these adults will struggle their whole life. The jobs that they would be able to get doesn't support the average family, which leads to poverty. I admire these adults and hope they overcome the struggle they carry. In conclusion this helps me fully understand how big of issue this is and how it's not addressed properly. This will cause me to work harder in the future.

# data[].attributes.body
I feel grateful for my education, and before this I never really understood how serious this issue is or how much it affects people's lives. One thing that stood out to me from the article is how many adults in America struggle with reading and how it affects their everyday lives. It made me realize that literacy is not just about school, but also about being able to get a job and take care of your family. I was surprised that even though help programs exist, many people cant access them because of time, cost, and embarrassment. I think this shows that the system isn't doing enough to support adults who need help learning to read. In my opinion, there should be free and flexible programs so people can improve without feeling judged. This article made me think about how important education really is and how it can impact someone's future.

# data[].attributes.body
I did not realize that a third of people cannot read or dropped out of school at a very young age. It is rather shocking and sad. I believe that we take advantage of our reading, knowledge, and comprehension skills. I don't think people realize how poverty-stricken people are in the United States, or how, some 60-odd years ago, there was availability to those being able to learn how to read. That opportunity no longer exists for them. Unfortunately, if it did, people may not have the transportation to get there to learn. This is more of an issue than most people realize. By reading this, it gave me a better understanding of how some people have more disadvantages than we do.

# data[].attributes.body
Upon reading this article, I was surprised at the staggering number of Americans who struggle with literacy, around 48 million. After reflection, I have actually experienced this in real life. Serving in the military for almost a decade, I have had the opportunity to work with Americans from every state, various backgrounds, and countless walks of life. I have had soldiers who struggle with reading and writing due to their upbringing and lack of support.

Interpreting things such as bills, taxes, housing documents, etc. can be difficult even having the privilege of having completed school. I couldn't imagine the difficulty if somebody did not have such privilege.

It makes me upset that people are shamed for any lack of education or learning disability. At the end of the day, we are all humans and should be supporting one another through love, not hatred.

# data[].attributes.body
The first thing I noticed when reading this article was that 48 million adults struggle to read! There are some places that people call "literacy deserts" because there is little to no access to programs. This causes people to struggle to get into the workforce and just do daily things. One of the things that was mentioned was that people could not even comprehend their bills. After reading this part of the article I realized how much I read in just one day.

"At the doctor's office, she had to ask for help filling out intake forms, and she later looked up unfamiliar words in the privacy of her home." This is an example of how this literacy problem is affecting people in their personal lives. Having this low literacy leads to low-paying jobs (if they can even get a job).

Overall, I just think it was mind blowing that this problem is so known there is a specific term for it (literacy deserts). This problem is not just about kids failing, it is about what happens after that. I don't like the fact that programs are designed to help people who are already close to passing instead of the ones who are really struggling the most.

# data[].attributes.body
This article was shocking to me because I never realized how hard it is to access education. Many adults in the USA struggle to read because education is hard to access. For example, the article states "the number of adults who struggle to read remains stubbornly high: 48 million, or 23%." This is due to education programs being hard to access, have long wait lists, and do not reach the people who need it most. The article also talks about the problems that lead to lack of education. Some examples are lack of transportation, busy schedules, and no classes available nearby. I find this ridiculous because education is said to lead to success in life and allows you to be financially stable. With hard to access education it also makes people struggle at home, find jobs, and feed families. I think this is an important issue and it needs to be talked about more to build awareness. People need education to be successful in today's day in age, but also to communicate with other people. Overall, the article shows that adult literacy is a big problem today, and education needs to be more accessible in a country that so heavily praises education and success.

# data[].attributes.body
I have never really thought about the idea that there could be places where illiteracy is still predominated. I thought the article was very interesting not only in so much as it demonstrated how many people were withheld from this knowledge, but the reasons of weak schools, underfunding, and difficult access, being some of the big reasons for it. With the world today needing reading from everything in communication to paying bills, its shocking to me how few systems exist for the people who need them most.

# data[].attributes.body
While reading this article, I had realized how little our grandparents had the opportunity to learn, like we do now. What put this into perspective was "the number of adults who struggle to read remains stubbornly high: 48 million, or 23%." which is the equivalent of 2-4 states population combined. Reading further into this article, I had found out that most of the government was aware of this issue, and even what good it would bring to the US, including taxes and the education system, but so little was truly done with it.

Overall, I am glad I had read this because it really shows how much our education system isn't doing well, but this article also allowed me to learn more about this and puts it into perspective seeing adults in a classroom surrounded by young adults, and they are all there to learn and have a good education.

I do wish there will be more opportunities for those who don't have the ability to learn.

- Kyra J.

# data[].attributes.body
This article really surprised me. The staggering 48 million Americans struggling with literacy was a shocking fact. Immediately after reading, I was wondering why more programs weren't set up to help these people or why it isn't talked about as often. We see there's an issue, why not fix it? For me personally, I would've never known basic literacy in America was so tough for that many people. It was truly shocking. The US puts money into so many other programs instead of the ones that we truly need. It is so upsetting and I wish there was more we could do for these struggling individuals.

# data[].attributes.body
You cannot control where you were born, what schooling you receive, the family you were born into etc. I feel part of the gap is just people who were born into unlucky situations. What stood out to me was people who cannot comprehend their bills, because that makes me think that generations of family is effected by this issue. If someone was not taught to read as a child by a parent, I doubt they were taught financial literacy. It boggles my mind that in such an "advanced" country that so many people are still below a certain threshold in terms of education and poverty. It's a reminder to be grateful if you do receive a good education and have access to learn new skills, because some people don't have the resources for that even though it should be provided to everyone.

# data[].attributes.body
One thing that stood out to me was how many adults struggle with reading and people don’t really notice. It’s crazy because reading affects everything, like getting a job or even understanding basic information, which also impacts financial stability. I also thought it was important how people feel embarrassed about it, and that stops them from getting help, making the problem worse. I think there should be more programs that help adults improve their reading without making them feel judged.

# data[].attributes.body
The part that stood out to me from this article was the numbers of American adults who are illiterate and the big reasons is that they are dropping out of grade school at a young age. I can imagine the reasoning is mostly justifiable due to financial struggle, family issues, and the inaccessibility of some of these schools to these people is troubling. Another point that stood out to me is that some individuals had to be on a waitlist due to the lack of aid and space in the schools. The idea of paying people to seek knowledge is a smart idea, especially since there are many struggling in the finance department. It is so important that everyone has access to seek higher education and now there are many options to pursue that goal so much easier.

# data[].attributes.body
After reading this article, I was shocked about the amount of people who struggle or are even unable to read in the United States, however, I am not surprised. It saddens me that there are so many people in our country that this effects, however, poverty has been a prevalent issue in the U.S. and in today's age, it is getting worse. It makes me think about how lucky I am to be able to read and use this skill every day, as many people do not have this privilege. It was shocking to see and realize that it does not just effect having money for food or shelter, but also their ability to read and get a good education. Being able to read is assumed to be a skill everyone has, and I could not imagine not being literate due to something I cannot control. I hope and wish there are non-profits or programs that could help people who are affected by this issue in our country be able to learn to read, as it is not fair that they have that taken as well.

# data[].attributes.body
After I read this article, I was honestly really shocked. It showed me how low literacy is in the states, and how much of our adults are affected by this. I didn't really understand how these individuals still function today without this skill. I feel like much of America doesn't really understand how severe this issue really is, it can affect them in their daily life. Another important point in this article was the financial impact of this problem. Adults who haven't been able to read properly usually end up in jobs with lower pay. The article helped show me that it isn't just a "personal" issue but more systemic. Some schools just don't provide extra support for those who need it. What really stood out to me was how this problem is kind of 'hidden'. Its not something that people usually are talking about and it affects a lot of the U.S population. Its kind of frustrating that these people are not getting the help that they need.

# data[].attributes.body
As I read this ProPublica report quite few things stood out to me first was that in other countries Children of parents with limited schooling surpass their parents skills at twice the rate we do in america which is blasphemy. Furthermore what piqued my interest throughout this article and made me question reality was not only the 48 million of people being failed by schooling curricula and underfunded adult programs, but also the link of low literacy make it hard to keep up with instructions on medications leading to poor health. This is beyond a educational standpoint as we can see.

# data[].attributes.body
I was shocked at how many adults struggle to read basic English. According to the article, it said that 48 million adults in the United States struggle to read, which is about 23%. It made me sad how people have to suffer in their everyday lives because they can’t read and do common tasks on their own. This made me grateful for the education I have and never had to worry about. It made me realize how I take my education was taken for granted. People are struggling to find and education, but it is just offered to me since I was born. I went to daycare and was taught to read when I was just a toddler. Meanwhile almost a quarter of the United States struggles to read.

# data[].attributes.body
Reading this article made me aware of how many adults are unable to read or comprehend basic literature. I wouldn't have guessed that many American adults couldn't read. People struggle to read their bills because they lack the basic comprehensive skills. It's sad to think that something as simple as reading a bill could turn into a whole process with just trying to comprehend what you're paying for. Hearing that most of these adults dropped out of school in elementary is crazy to me! Who allowed that and why was it allowed? I understand some have to help the family, so they leave school to find jobs, but I feel that should never be a child's responsibility. I'm grateful for the ability to read and comprehend as a functional adult and I hope they find a way to help all the adults struggling with literacy.

# data[].attributes.body
Read this article left me in complete shock. Never did I expect it to be nearly a third of adults who struggle to read basic English in hundreds on counties. Something’s that really stood out, is how education can really affect someone. As someone who was blessed enough to get that education that I need to help me read and read basic English, it is so sad to see that not everyone has those opportunities. Taking things for granted is something that kept cycling through my mind while reading this. This really opened my eyes because I never stopped and thought about the possibility of people out there that don’t know how to read. The disadvantage people have for not being able to read, such as jobs. They either do not make as much after working hours or almost impossible to find a job to help support themselves and or a family.

# data[].attributes.body
A couple things stood out to me while reading this article. The most surprising to me was how many adults in the United States struggle with reading; many people cannot read well enough to handle everyday tasks. Another thing that stood out was how literacy can affect communities and not just individuals. I never realized how much low literacy can impact things like economic growth, job availability, and even public services. This can show that it is not a education issue but a national economic and social problem. Something that shocked me was how difficult it is adults to get help even with all the programs they exist. It seems unfair that the people who need help are the ones least able to get it.

In my opinion, some that frustrated me was how the system seems to prioritize quick result instead of helping those who struggle more. If the education programs focus on people who improve fast, it puts behind the people who need support.

# data[].attributes.body
After reading this article, it was truly shocking. It is sad to see that so many people want access to be able to read but they are unable to attend classes due to lack of transportation, child care, and work schedules. It was also very sad to see that around 48 million adults in the US struggle to read. I remember learning how to read as early as Pre-K, and it hurts me to know that people did not get that experience. I think that the government needs to implement some sort of system to help this issue because it has the potential to affect life and things such as voting.

# data[].attributes.body
This article shocked me on how many people aren't able to read. There are way more adults that don't know how to read than I thought. It's sad because it makes everyday life harder because almost everything requires reading. Many adults weren't properly taught how to read when they were young. So, that can make it hard especially for jobs, everyone needs money to create income for themselves and/or families. There are some programs too that people can get into but sometimes that is also hard because people have work and other responsibilities. If there were more local programs many adults can get the reading education they need.

# data[].attributes.body
Something that immediately stuck out to me was the fact that 48 million Americans struggle or are unable to read. This was shocking to me as reading is a must in everyday life, and if you can't read, I can't imagine how hard it is to do everyday things. I was even more shocked when I saw that 23% of that is adults who can't read. This affects getting a job, communicating on a daily basis, paying bills, and more. It makes me think that the system needs to be fixed to help more of those who need it. This is stunning as education leads to getting a job and making money to support not only themselves but also their family. In my opinion, more adult reading programs need to happen. They deserve to live their life to the fullest ability and they can't do that if they don't have the ability to read.

# data[].attributes.body
One thing that stood out to me is how much shame plays a role in this crisis. It is heartbreaking to read about people who have to rely on their neighbors just to understand a basic utility bill or a piece of mail because they are too embarrassed to admit they struggle with reading. We often talk about education as a set of statistics, but for the 48 million adults in this position, it is a deeply personal hurdle that affects their dignity and their ability to provide for their families. It really makes you realize that literacy is not just a school subject; it is the difference between feeling like a capable member of society and feeling completely invisible.

# data[].attributes.body
I knew before reading this article that the United States has a problem with literacy and reading comprehension, but to learn a whopping 23% struggles to read blows my mind. I am a big supporter of the belief that having accessible education in our country would fix a vast amount of issues we face. I am talking issues within our system and issues within ourselves and how we treat each other. Education, a proper education, should absolutely be a fundamental human right that everyone has equal access to. It is shameful that the issue of adult illiteracy was only just addressed 60 years ago by the government. Sixty years ago, out of the whole existence of this nation, if finally felt important enough to address. That is pathetic, frankly, and that angers me.

# data[].attributes.body
First off, I think the title in of itself surprised me especially because we are a first world country that houses some of the best universities in the world. It's hard to believe that some states have such impressive public school education while others do not. As I read deeper into the article I saw that the federal government gives $675 million to states and that amount has stayed the same for 2 decades even with inflation and the fact a dollar is worth much less now than it was 2 decades ago. That means that the value of this money given to the states is actually decreasing and the fact they aren't raising this value to match up with inflation shows that educating citizens hasn't been a top priority with the government. It also said 500 American counties struggle to read basic English and while this doesn't surprise me, I think we should pay attention to those counties and ensure that teenagers are receiving a good public school education so they can grow up with that important foundation.

# data[].attributes.body
The Statistics: Roughly 48 million adults (23%) in the U.S. struggle with basic reading skills.

Real-World Impact: The inability to perform "functional" tasks, such as reading and comprehending medical or financial bills, creates a cycle of struggle and vulnerability.

The article highlights a "hidden" crisis that often goes unnoticed because of the stigma attached to it. What struck me most was how literacy isn't just about reading books for pleasure; it’s about agency. When someone cannot decode a legal document or a prescription label, they lose their ability to navigate society independently. It's clear that these gaps are not just an educational failure but a systemic social justice issue that affects everything from healthcare to economic stability.

# data[].attributes.body
To be honest, after reading the article, I never realized that there are still so many people incapable of reading, 48 million adults or 23% of the population in the United States is incapable of reading . Before I realize how big the percentage is, I am just thankful that I can read because I had the opportunity to be a part of the education institutions that supply and teach how to read. I am glad that the government realize the importance of education and providing free education to the adult people who are incapable of reading. These people will have a brighter future with these opportunity if they take it, but I guess to those who are incapable of affording travel expenses are still out of luck, which is sad. I still thought that there are places with trouble reading , I just didn’t realize how many there are still left as I never been in any places without reading. I hope soon people who are incapable of reading can get opportunity to learn how to read.

# data[].attributes.body
One thing that really stuck with me from the article was how many adults in the U.S. struggle with reading, and how much it affects their everyday lives. I never realized how stressful it can be to do basic things like filling out forms, reading bills, or applying for jobs when you can’t fully understand the text. It made me think about how much we take reading for granted.

I was also surprised by how hard it is for adults to get help. A lot of programs don’t offer true beginner support, and some areas don’t have any programs at all. The article made it clear that low literacy isn’t just a personal issue, it’s something shaped by the systems around people, and it affects their social life, confidence, and financial stability.

Overall, it made me more aware of how big the problem really is and how many barriers adults face when they try to improve their reading skills.

# data[].attributes.body
I find it interesting that there are 48 million adults who cannot read properly. I feel like you don't realize that there are people out there that cannot comprehend simple words because you are so used to being taught from such a young age simple reading skills. Another thing that stood out to me in the article was the section where they said underqualified teachers are also to blame for this. I don't agree with this statement as choosing to pay attention and learn basic skills like this is an option and if you choose not to learn then that is not at fault by the teacher, especially for adults who do not have a diploma.

# data[].attributes.body
The article shows that adult illiteracy in America is a hidden crisis that affects far more than school. Millions of adults struggle to read, and this limits their ability to understand bills, fill out forms, get better jobs, and help their children succeed in school. What stood out to me most was how the problem is not just personal, but social and economic, because communities lose workers, tax revenue, and opportunities when so many people are left behind. The article also made it clear that the adult education system often fails the people who need it most, since many programs focus more on quick credentials than teaching basic reading skills. I was especially struck by Jacqueline Davis’ story, because it showed how embarrassing and isolating low literacy can feel in everyday life. At the same time, Detroit’s paid learning program stood out as a hopeful example of what can happen when government actually invests in people. Overall, the article argues that literacy is tied to poverty, opportunity, and fairness in America, and that failing adults who struggle to read hurts entire communities, not just individuals.

# data[].attributes.body
I've always struggled to read. Although I've never been officially diagnosed with dyslexia, I know I have a lot of overlapping traits with many family members who have. Whether I have it or not, I have always been insecure about my inability to read proficiently, so hearing that 48 million people struggle with the same issue is comforting and worrying.

Some of the personal difficulties the article listed regarding a lack of reading skills, such as having a hard time reading bills and filling out forms. I don't think my poor reading skills are too bad, although I can struggle keeping up with the reading material in class, and take a little longer to manage the register at work, I wouldn't say it hinders my life a significant amount.

Fortunately enough, my school did offer extra reading classes to help me keep up. In fact, these extra classes were so prominent in my reading journey that I was surprised to hear that a lot of education systems have failed in moving too soon or assuming their students' reading ability before teaching the next topic.

As someone with similar experiences with other adults with poor literacy, I differ as I was privileged enough to have extra support. It upsets me to hear the common barriers to education for children struggling to read, and even more so, education for adults. We base so much of the world on our ability to read that the lack thereof has led to limited job opportunities and increased reliance on social resources.

I plan to become more educated on this topic to spread awareness and bring change. Not everyone was as privileged as I was growing up, and without the resources given to me, I wouldn't be in as lucky spot as I am currently. Like myself, I hope all children can receive the proper reading-related support, and adults as well, because it's not fair to leave them out of the equation.

I think a good place to start off would be to speak up about how common these struggles are and how they are not a true reflection of one's intelligence but rather a failure in the system, the goal being to reduce stigma and shame around illiteracy in adults. Furthermore, I think implementing personal learning programs specializing in teaching adult's literary skills would tackle the root problem, the lack of literacy education in older individuals.

# data[].attributes.body
As I read the article I was very concerned with the amount of people that do lack education. The article stated that 48 million adults struggle to read. I do question why people are unable to find an education but as mentioned in the article many individuals do not have access to education in general or struggle with the long wait times. The article overall made me feel privelleged to the education that I have therefore I should continue to use my education because unfortunately others do not have it like I do. I feel like many people are born and raised in these unfortunate circumstances and people that are not having access to education should be the ones that are getting the programs and help they need by others. Even at my current job today, many people that come in as full time employees to a fast food place are manily in the back and not up front because they struggle to read and do not have much education background. It really is unfortunate. To be apart of a education system to get help with reading, and being able to ask for that extra help when I was younger and still today in high school is a privllege and it overall makes me upset with the struggle world we have today. I can only imagine how hard it is for someone that is a new to education at an older adult age trying to rebuild everyhting they never had access to.

# data[].attributes.body
Reading this article was a huge eye opener for me because I never would have guessed theres 48 million people who cant read. I think not being able to read well enough as an adult, to do the tasks needed to survive, like pay your bills, or even just read labels of what you're consuming, is a huge failure to the people of America. I disagree with putting the blame on underqualified teachers. Teachers provide the map when you're in school, but it's the student's place to follow the map and make sure they understand it. If the students aren't trying to learn or aren't expressing a need for help, then the teacher is really not at fault. I think there should be programs for adults to learn. This article has made me realize how much I take for granted, as I never knew something I had access to growing up, so many others didn't. I think the government is really failing our people by allowing this to happen. They need to do something to bridge this gap in education to give our society equal education and allow them their rights.