SUMMER 2022 - UNDERSTANDING LITERACY IN DUVAL COUNTY - Brief 1 of a Series - ADULT LITERACY RATES IN THE U.S.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Damian

Summer 2022 brief examines adult literacy rates in the United States and links national findings to Duval County. It cites that 54% of U.S. adults read below a 6th grade level and frames literacy as essential for student success. The brief describes local 3rd grade literacy patterns, highlighting inequities across race and geography, and identifies poverty as the strongest indicator related to proficiency. It outlines that improving grade-level reading requires coordinated, system-wide engagement of students, teachers, and families, informed by a READJAX campaign plan.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Adult Literacy Rates in the U.S.

Literature Review

Contributing factors and evidence themes

Local Literacy

3rd Grade proficiency outcomes

Geographic and demographic inequities

Campaign planning and community approach

SUMMER 2022 UNDERSTANDING LITERACY IN DUVAL COUNTY Brief 1 of a Series ADULT LITERACY RATES IN THE U.S. 54% BELOW 6TH GRADE LEVEL Literacy in the United States has been a highly discussed and studied topic for decades as it is key to student success and well-being. Yet, according to the U.S. Department of Education, 54% of adults in this country have literacy rates below a 6th grade level (NCES, 2019). Various strategies for improving literacy, such as reducing inequitable access to resources and increasing family engagement, have been proposed to bolster literacy rates across the states. In Duval County, where literacy rates mirror national trends, there have been several large-scale efforts in the past, including but not limited to,“Read It Forward Jax”,“Mayor Peyton’s Book Club”, and “SAIL Into Reading.” While each of these campaigns have moved the needle, even slightly, towards increased literacy for our youth in Duval County, the need and energy exists for a more strategic and collaborative approach to addressing disparate literacy rates in our community; thus the Jacksonville Public Education Fund is engaged in efforts to implement the Campaign for Grade Level Reading, a national campaign, in Duval County. In 2021, the Jacksonville Public Education Fund convened with Kids Hope Alliance, Duval County Public Schools, READ USA, WJCT, Jacksonville Public Library, and others along with Lectio Consulting to plan out the initial stages of the “READJAX” Campaign, with the goal of improving 3rd grade literacy in Duval County. This brief summarizes available background literature, literacy data, and community data that has informed this campaign. We will continue to track the progress and impact of the campaign. This brief describes how Duval parents, across all demographic categories (such as race, zipcode, and education), share similar beliefs about the importance of early literacy to later success but some are likely facing complicated barriers to being as involved as they want to be. In combination with Duval County student population trends over the past three years becoming increasingly diverse and in economic need, all the data included suggest collective efforts are needed to improve literacy rates across Duval County through systemic change and culturally responsive engagement of students, teachers, and families. (904) [356-7757 |](356-7757 | jaxpef.org)[ jaxpef.org](356-7757 | jaxpef.org) 1 Understanding Literacy in Duval County LITERATURE REVIEW Based on a literature review conducted by the JPEF research team, many contributing factors surfaced that impact and explain literacy rates across the nation. Some initial themes that surfaced were: Duval County is not experiencing uncommon challenges with literacy among young children. Across the United States, roughly 1/3 of students are not reading on grade level by 3rd grade. Longitudinal studies have shown that 3rd grade literacy can be an indicator of high school graduation as well as college attendance.1 1. Bornfreund, et al., 2015; Gwynne, et al., 2010 A systemic and community-wide approach is necessary and must engage students, teachers, and families.2 In particular, parental awareness, involvement, and access of resources are all factors that have been linked to improved student literacy.3 2. Enochty, et al., 2015; Jones, 2018. 3. Crosby, Yildirim, Rasinski, Padak, 2015; Rochelle Dali & Payne, 2010 A coordinated effort of literacy interventions and programming that seamlessly spans birth to 3rd grade is much more likely to be effective than one that does not fully incorporate early learning services.4 4. Lesaux & Nine, 2013; Regenstein, 2019 These themes raise concern and hope; particularly in that many of the core tenants from READJAX are already incorporating and addressing these emerging themes from the literature. READJAX has specifically taken a systems wide approach to address literacy challenges t

FAQs

What is the key adult literacy statistic highlighted in the brief?

The brief states that 54% of adults in the United States have literacy rates below a 6th grade level.

How does the brief describe Duval County’s 3rd grade literacy status?

It reports that 47% of Duval County 3rd graders scored proficient on the ELA portion of the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA), and that this percentage decreased by 4 points since 2018.

What factors does the brief identify as most strongly associated with 3rd grade literacy proficiency?

Through correlation analysis, it finds that students experiencing poverty were less likely to demonstrate proficiency, and it also notes inequitable outcomes by student race/ethnicity and school demographics.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Damian