National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) - Demographics

National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL)

A nationally representative and continuing assessment of English language literary skills of American Adults

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Demographics -> Education

Performance in 2003

Literacy increased with the completion of more education

Prose literacy by educational attainment: 2003

NOTE: Adults are defined as people 16 years of age and older living in households or prisons.Adults who could not be interviewed due to language spoken or cognitive or mental disabilities (3 percent in 2003 and 4 percent in 1992) are excluded from this table.
SOURCE: U.S.Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy.

Changes between 1992 and 2003

Less than or some high school
Down 9 points in prose
High school graduate
Down 6 points in prose
College graduate
Down 11 points in prose and 14 points in document
Graduate studies/degree
Down 13 points in prose and 17 points in document

Changes in Literacy Scores: 1992 to 2003

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