Research and Findings on Adult Literacy

Building Provider Capacity: A Snapshot of Investment in Adult Education Teachers

ALL IN, in partnership with build4good

This report reveals why a stable and well-supported teaching workforce is essential for high quality adult education programs. The Adult Literacy and Learning Network (ALL IN), in partnership with a research intern from New America’s build4good program, conducted a 10-week mixed-methods study to better understand the adult education landscape. The study looked at the adult educator landscape in terms of: 1) investments in adult education, including educator employment status and pay, 2) requirements for teaching adults, e.g. certifications, credentials or degree requirements, and 3) career skills, training, and pathways for adult educators. The report makes several recommendations for improving the adult educator talent pipeline, including the need for accessible certification information and a focus on educator competencies.

Chimere Akwuole, G. & Cacicio, S. (2024). Building Provider Capacity: A Snapshot of Investment in Adult Education Teachers. The Adult Literacy and Learning Impact Network. https:// allinliteracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Building-Provider-Capacity.pdf

The Literacy Landscape in the Beltway & in Business 

FTI Consulting, commissioned by ALL IN

To explore the potential disconnect between the reality of adult literacy in the U.S. and the conceptions of both business and the Beltway, ALL IN partnered with FTI Consulting to conduct a survey of 500 employers across the United States and 200 policy influencers in Washington, D.C. to quantify the scale of the challenge and identify possible solutions. Importantly, the voices and experiences of learners are essential in any research on adult literacy. To incorporate their perspectives and connect with their lived experience, FTI also conducted a focus group with adult learners and a series of in-depth interviews with adult educators and experts from the field. Access full reports and citations below:

“Nationwide Employer Survey Report,” The Adult Literacy and Learning Impact Network (December 2023), https://allinliteracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ALL-IN-Employer-Survey-Report-12.5.23.pdf 

“DC Policy Influencer Survey Report,” The Adult Literacy and Learning Impact Network (December 2023), https://allinliteracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ALL-IN-DC-Policy-Survey-Report-12.5.23.pdf 

“Adult Learner Focus Group Insights,” The Adult Literacy and Learning Impact Network (December 2023), https://allinliteracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ALL-IN-Voice-of-the-Learner-Focus-Group-Report-12.5.23.pdf

Investing in Multiple Literacies for Individual and Collective Empowerment

ALL IN

From health literacy to financial literacy and beyond, literacy skills have the power to improve lives and activate potential in adult learners across America. Despite the critical need for multiple literacy skills, rates of literacy access and attainment have not kept pace with technological advancements. The Adult Literacy and Learning Impact Network (ALL IN) released  “Investing in Multiple Literacies for Individual and Collective Empowerment” to raise awareness about the challenges of supporting adult literacy in our current system, recognize opportunities for impactful learning experiences and galvanize multisector engagement to address this collectively.

Cacicio, S., Cote, P., & Bigger, K. (2023). Investing in Multiple Literacies for Individual and Collective Empowerment. [White Paper]. The Adult Literacy and Learning Impact Network. https://allinliteracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Investing-in-Multiple-Literacies-forIndividual-and-Collective-Empowerment.pdf