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Section Title: The Current Situation Photo of a construction worker going over a checklist with the boss.
Current Situtation Section Navigation Fact Box: Did You Know? 22% of adults in Grand Rapids are not high school graduates (includes equivalency). Data from Delta Strategy 2005-2006 Community Report Card, Standard and Poor's

Adult Literacy

Adult Literacy

The latest statistic we have on adult literacy in Kent County comes from the 1992 National Adult Literacy Survey which shows that 14% of adults in Kent County and 20% in Grand Rapids are functionally illiterate. Since the city’s demographics have not changed much since then, we estimate the problem is as great or greater now. Other data that indicate the level of adult literacy in the county include:

  • 13% of Kent County adults have trouble filling out forms at health care centers *
  • 14% of Kent County adults have trouble filling out forms at financial institutions *
  • 17% of Kent County adults say their reading ability limits their job opportunities *
  • 16% of people 5 and above in Grand Rapids speak a language other than English at home, 8.4% Michigan and 10.2% in Kent County **
  • 4.9% of Kent County residents speak English less than very well, 8.6% in Grand Rapids **

*Community Research Institute
**Census 2000

View a larger PDF version of the chart

 


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