Clarence Wright, reading student

America’s Literacy Crisis and Its Impact on Democracy

About half of American adults read at or below a sixth-grade level. Some are native-born Americans, others are immigrants.

What challenges do they face in maintaining a good job, navigating health care, helping children (or grandchildren) with school work? Because of a stigma, they sometimes are embarrassed to ask for help. But help is available if they know where to look.

Fedor Konyashchenkov (L), Lawrence Meyer, literacy tutors

And how does this widespread low level of literacy affect the functioning of American democracy? Are voters in this group vulnerable to political manipulation?

Lecester Johnson, Academy of Hope CEO

We’ll hear stories of adult learners, as well as the tutors and educators who try to help them. Meet a man in his 70s who revealed to his doctor that he couldn’t read. Listen to a recent college graduate as well as a veteran newspaper reporter, who volunteer their time to assist their learners. And we talk with long-time experts in the field of adult education, as well as people with good reading skills who are trying to upgrade their career.

David Cay Johnston, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter

Allen Richardson (L) and Jasmine Burrell, adult learners

Lauren Osowski, ProLiteracy research and policy specialist

David Rosen, long-time adult educator

To learn more:

• ProLiteracy, promotes adult literacy
• Academy of Hope, provides free literacy and other adult education courses, Washington, DC
• Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts

Produced in association with GBH/Boston and Documentary Educational Resources. Studio recording by Antonio Oliart-Ros. Editorial assistance from Cathy Graham and Ken Rogers. Webmaster Brian K. Johnson. Special thanks to Steve Martin, David Rosen, Jyoti Chowdhury, Roberta Soolman, Eleanor Stafford, Paul Jurmo and Tony Buck.