Adult Literacy Education Summer 2022 - Forum: The Role of Research in Policy and Practice - Part 2

Oct 15, 2026

Forum discussion examining how research supports adult literacy education through awareness, advocacy, and education at national, program, and individual levels. Using Seeds of Literacy in Cleveland as a case study, the text shows how prevalence data guides messaging to funders and local communities, and how research links parental education to children’s outcomes. It also connects literacy education to K-12 impact, public assistance and health, and recidivism reduction through education and credential attainment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Research and the Field of Adult Literacy Education

Awareness, Advocacy, Education: Seeds of Literacy

Professional Practice and Program Initiatives

ADULT LITERACY EDUCATION SUMMER 2022 [http://doi.org/10.35847/CStewart.4.2.51](http://doi.org/10.35847/CStewart.4.2.51) Forum: The Role of Research in Policy and Practice (Part 2 of3) Research and the Field of Adult Literacy Education Carmine Stewart, Seeds of Literacy The adult literacy education field draws on research from several disciplines to support the work of educating the 40-44 million U.S. adults who lack the skills to obtain and maintain family sustaining work opportunities (Kirsch et al. , 1993) . Adult literacy research that documents the prevalence of low literacy in the adult population is useful for increasing awareness, for advocacy, and for educating funders and community partners about the need for, and impact of, adult literacy education. Research from adult and K-12 education are useful for improving professional practice and implementing effective program initiatives and for developing new knowledge about effective instructional strategies, evolving learner needs, and improving learner outcomes. In adult literacy education, efforts are made to use research for each of these purposes at the national, program, and individual levels. This paper documents how Seeds of Literacy, an adult literacy program in Cleveland, Ohio, uses education research to support its work. Awareness, Advocacy, Education Seeds of Literacy (Seeds) provides free, one-to-one tutoring to adults who range beginning readers to those working on earning a high school equivalency credential. Research about the prevalence of low literacy helps Seeds increase public awareness about illiteracy and garner public support for adult literacy efforts. For example, the National Adult Literacy Survey (U.S. Department of Education, 1992) and the National Assessment of Adult Literacy (National Center for Education Statistics, 2003) helped Seeds provide the public with an understanding of how pervasive the problem of low literacy was in America at that time and how literacy rates have remained somewhat static overtime. This helped point to the need to address (and prevent) illiteracy in the adult population, and the need for continued surveys ofthe adult population to track progress. While information about illiteracy on the national scale provided valuable information, research that provided a more local perspective has been particularly effective in helping to craft a message that hits closer to home. Data that demonstrated high need in Cleveland generally and in specific neighborhoods helped Seeds tell a more compelling story to the local community and to educate funders about the need for increased funding for adult literacy programs in the Cleveland area . They also helped motivate residents of Greater Cleveland, the national community, and even the international community to do their part to decrease functional illiteracy rates by either becoming a Seeds tutor or donor. In addition to using research to increase awareness, Seeds also uses data to support advocacy efforts, and to educate foundations, potential donors, and [Correspondence: carminestewart@seedsofliteracy.org](Correspondence: carminestewart@seedsofliteracy.org 51)[ 51](Correspondence: carminestewart@seedsofliteracy.org 51) community partners on the impact of adult literacy education on K-12 education, criminal justice, and the local economy. Research from Dubow et al. (2009) found that parental educational levels predict a child’s educational level and educational aspirations through age 19. Given that 47% of Seeds’students are parents of dependent children, the work that Seeds does educating parents has a direct impact on outcomes in the K-12 arena. Mitra’s work (2011) demonstrated the role of education in decreasing reliance on welfare assistance programs and the public health care system. At Seeds, 88% of students live below the federal poverty level, and receive some form of public assistance. Achieving a high school equivalency credential increases the like

FAQs

How does research help adult literacy education increase awareness and advocacy?

Research on the prevalence of low literacy raises public awareness and supports advocacy. Seeds uses national survey findings to explain how widespread low literacy remains and why adult literacy efforts must continue.

What role does local data play for Seeds of Literacy?

Local Cleveland and neighborhood-level data helps craft messages that resonate locally. It also helps justify increased funding for adult literacy programs and motivates residents and donors to reduce functional illiteracy rates.

How does adult literacy education connect to outcomes beyond literacy skills?

The text links adult education to impacts on K-12 education, criminal justice outcomes, and the local economy. It cites research on parental education, welfare reliance and health, and education’s relationship to reduced recidivism.

Oct 15, 2026

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