Fact Sheet - Literacy in Monterey County

Overview:

In October 2005, the Community Foundation launched a multi-year, multi-million dollar, civic engagement initiative to open doors to educational and economic opportunities through improving the literacy skills of young adults in Monterey County.

• The Campaign will be collaborative, engaging grant makers, businesses, government and non-profit agencies, neighborhood groups, educators, families, and individuals.
• The main beneficiaries will be young adults between the ages of 18-35, particularly those who are parents, and for whom literacy is a barrier to success.
• The whole community will become more aware of the importance of literacy.
• The results will be measured, reported, replicated, and sustained.
• The initial request for applications will be issued in the summer of 2006.

Research Shows:

• Literacy in one's native (first) language makes it easier to learn a second language.
• Lack of English language and literacy skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing skills) is a barrier to entry and advancement in many types of employment.
• Higher paying jobs demand literacy in English.
• Children from homes with high literacy skills have greater success in school and at work.
• Children who cannot read by the 4th grade are among the first to drop out of high school.

In Monterey County:

• 11% of adults are not literate in any language.
• 25% of adults read below the 4th grade level and only 68% have completed high school.
• 55% of adults seeking services say their inability to speak English is a barrier.
• 46% of children enter kindergarten without the necessary pre-academic skills.

Literacy is the key to doors of opportunity:

• It is essential to success in the workplace.
• It steers young people towards lives of positive contributions.
• It is a measure of a community's economic health and vitality.
• It is crucial for participation in our democratic processes.