The Case for Adult Literacy: The Importance of Public and Private Investment

Written by Ophelia Navarro, First Literacy Development Manager

In a country where literacy is often taken for granted, millions of adults quietly struggle with reading, writing, and basic math skills every day. These skills are essential—not just for personal dignity and self-sufficiency—but for navigating the workforce, managing a household, participating in civic life, and supporting children’s education. Literacy impacts and is correlated with several important outcomes such as personal income, employment levels, health, and overall economic growth.

Despite the profound implications, adult basic education (ABE) programs are vastly underfunded, especially by government sources. Funding from the federal government for adult literacy has remained largely unchanged for more than two decades, even when adjusted for inflation. And with the Trump Administrations federal freeze and recent release of funds for education programming, funding is even less stable and unpredictable than past years.

A Crisis of Investment

Federal and state support for adult literacy has been shrinking for decades. An article from ProPublica, notes that less than 3% of public education dollars go toward adult education – even though nearly 48 million adults in the U.S. read below a third-grade level, and many more lack the literacy and numeracy skills needed for everyday life.

Funding is distributed to states through programs like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which then allocates resources to local adult education programs. This low level of funding means fewer than 3% of eligible adults receive services in smaller programs with limited reach.

In some states, budget cuts have led to waiting lists for adult education programs that stretch for months — or even years. The Massachusetts Coalition for Adult Education (MCAE) reports that over 20,000 immigrants are waiting to get into English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. These long wait lists significantly impact the ability to find employment, housing, and access essential services. Furthermore, many community-based organizations that offer classes for adults are operating with skeletal staff and outdated materials, struggling to meet overwhelming demand. And when funding does exist, it often comes with stringent restrictions that make it hard to serve the full range of adult learners — particularly those facing the steepest barriers.

Why Adult Literacy Matters

When adults have access to literacy and learning opportunities, the effects are undeniable:

• Economic impact: Adults with higher literacy levels are more likely to secure stable employment, earn higher wages, and lift their families out of poverty.
• Health outcomes: Literate adults are better equipped to navigate health care systems, follow medical instructions, and make informed health decisions.
• Intergenerational change: Literate parents are more likely to read to their children, help with homework, and support academic achievement, breaking the cycle of low literacy.
• Civic engagement: Literacy supports full participation in our democracy, from understanding ballot initiatives to advocating for community needs.

The Role of Private Funding

As public funding stagnates or declines, private philanthropy is more important than ever. Foundations, individual donors, and corporate partners can help fill critical gaps in adult education funding. Unlike government dollars, private funding can be more flexible, allowing programs to innovate, pilot new approaches, and respond to the specific needs of their communities.

Private investments also help programs reach adults who are often overlooked by government grants—such as undocumented immigrants, individuals with learning disabilities, or those with limited digital access or transportation. These are the adult learners who often face the greatest barriers—and who stand to benefit the most from personalized, accessible instruction.

First Literacy plays a crucial role in the link between private funding and adult basic education programs. Since the introduction of the First Literacy grants initiative in 2014, we have supported the development of over 100 innovative literacy programs that have impacted over 4,000 adult learners across Massachusetts. While First Literacy grants are narrowing the gap in funding, the recent rise in the number of adults struggling with low literacy and the lack of federal funding means the First Literacy grant program is now more important than ever.

A Call to Action

If we care about equity, economic opportunity, and a more informed and engaged society, we must start treating adult literacy as an urgent priority. That means pushing for increased public investment—and recognizing the vital role of private support from organizations like First Literacy in building sustainable, high-impact adult education systems.

Whether you’re a funder, policymaker, educator, or concerned citizen, now is the time to act. Adult learners deserve the same chance at success as anyone else—and with the right support, they can achieve extraordinary things as evidenced by the Friends of the Rafael Hernández School that received funding from First Literacy to develop a program that trains low-income Spanish-speaking parents from the Hernández School and other Boston Public Schools to become dual language educators.

With two years of funding from First Literacy and recent support from the City of Boston, Friends of the Rafael Hernández School continues to expand the program’s reach and refine its curriculum, ensuring its profound impact on adult learners and the young students they teach.