Facts

Local Literacy Facts

• 13% (7,800) of adults over 25 years of age in Harrisonburg/Rockingham County have less than a ninth-grade education.*

• 27% of adults over 25 years of age in Harrisonburg/Rockingham county have less than a high-school education. Of those, 46% have less than a 9th grade education.*

• Approximately 13% of adults over 16 years of age in Harrisonburg/Rockingham County are at or below a Level 1 Literacy Level.**

• Level 1 is the lowest of five literacy levels. Adults at a Level 1 literacy level "display difficulty in using certain reading, writing, and computational skills considered necessary for functioning in everyday life."***

• The 1991 National Literacy Act defines literacy as:

"An individuals ability to read, write and speak in English, and compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job and in society, achieve goals, and develop knowledge and potential."

• There are at least 42 languages being spoken by families whose children attend Harrisonburg City Schools. Of the 9,000 people speaking a language other than English at home in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, 54% (4,800) speak English less than well.*

• Skyline Literacy Coalition provides one-on-one tutoring for those needing assistance in Basic Reading or English as a Second Language (ESL), and provides help for those seeking to obtain their GED who can't attend a GED class.

• Skyline is affiliated with the nationwide organization ProLiteracy America.

• Skyline has over 150 active volunteers working with more than 250 students throughout Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

• Skyline receives financial support from United Way of Harrisonburg/Rockingham County, grants from the Virginia Literacy Foundation, and donations from many businesses and individuals throughout the area. This generosity enables SLC to provide its services and resources for free to learners and volunteer tutors.

• The Annual Auction is Skyline's only fundraising event and is supported by contributions of items or services by over 250 local businesses and individuals.

* Statistics from 2000 U.S. Consensus

** Based on statistics from the National Adult Literacy Survey.

*** From page 4 of "The State of Literacy in America," published by the National Institute for Literacy 1998.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at 1 (540) 879-2933 or email us at skylitbeth@comcast.net.