Published 8 days ago • loading... • Updated 7 days ago

Many young adults are barely literate despite earning a high school diploma

Recently, NCES and PIAAC data show one in 4 U.S. 16-to-24-year-olds reads at the lowest literacy levels while more than half hold high school diplomas, with this share rising from 16% in 2017 to 25% in 2023.
Education experts point to students promoted without skills, pandemic-era disruptions shuttering adult education programs, and online sources and AI altering engagement, while assessments designed 10 years ago complicate measurement.
The assessments show literacy on a 0-to-500 scale with Levels 1–5 grouping; Level 1 readers grasp only short texts, while some counties have over 80% of graduates at Level 1.
Federal adult education funding remains stagnant as less than 3% of those needing services received them; many programs have monthslong waitlists despite over 80,000 high school equivalency recipients and 415,000 achievement gains from 23-24.
Researchers warn the trend may worsen in coming years, as NAEP plans a 2026 framework update, and experts advocate for curriculum adaptation and targeted K–3 interventions.

Insights by Ground AI

26 Articles

Bulletin-Review

+25 Reposted by 25 other sources

Center

Many young adults are barely literate despite earning a high school diploma

The 74 reports that 25% of U.S. young adults are functionally illiterate, despite a rise in high school diploma attainment, indicating a literacy crisis.

8 days ago

Read Full Article

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/year