About the Survey

The United States is participating in the International Survey of Adult Skills (ISAS), the most comprehensive international survey of adult skills ever undertaken. Specifically, this study looks at adults’ reading and math skills as well as how they use computers and the Internet in their daily lives to locate information and solve problems. This study also collects information from participants about their background, work, and educational experiences. In the United States, the National Center for Education Statistics, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is conducting the study.

The results of this study will provide a snapshot of the skills of adults in the United States to help inform policies and programs for preparing our workforce to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The information collected by ISAS is important for policymakers, educators, and researchers trying to develop educational and training policies and programs to improve adults’ skills in the United States. The information will also be compared with the results from other countries that are participating in the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, which is the study’s international name.

Please click on the links on the left in the navigation column to find out more about ISAS.