Quality of Life Indicators
literate community data
newspaper circulation
after school literacy tutoring
library system resources -- updated 11/22/08
newspaper circulation
The America’s Most Literate Cities surveys, conducted by Central Connecticut State University, from 2003-2006 indicate that there is a widespread decline in per capita newspaper circulation—even happening in cities where overall literacy is high and in cities where it is low. But the data does not indicate a switch from reading newspapers to reading online news. Most Literate Cities
after school literacy tutoring
According to the Washoe County Education Collaborative, the cost of illiteracy to all taxpayers and businesses is estimated at $20 billion a year, and Nevada is no exception to this problem. In the Washoe County School District, more than 39% of our third graders read below grade level (April 2007 Nevada Criterion Referenced Exam).
The Education Foundation has embraced WCSD’s number one goal that all students are reading and writing at or above grade level by the end of third grade. The Education Foundation’s Focus on Literacy Initiative is a comprehensive literacy project that provides grade level books, after school literacy tutoring, professional development in literacy for teachers, and technology upgrades to schools that fall short of qualifying for federal funding and lack the community resources to enhance academic success. Washoe Education Foundation
library system resources -- updated 11/22/08
According to the February 2004, Nevada White Paper on Literacy, it is a broad issue that is central to the success of communities. As such, literacy is defined as a person’s ability to understand and employ information and compute and solve problems in daily activities, at home, at work, and in the community to achieve one’s goals, and to develop one’s knowledge and potential. Community literacy involves a collaboration of programs, whether basic education, childhood development, or other learning programs.
According to the October 2006, Washoe K-16 Data Profile prepared by the Education Collaborative of Washoe County, 30% of 2005 WCSD graduates enrolled at UNR in fall 2005 enrolled in a remedial class; while 67% enrolled at TMCC enrolled in a remedial class. Of the 2005 WCSD graduates, 52% were eligible for a Millennium Scholarship, with a GPA of 3.1. TMT will track additional literacy-related measures as available.
Functional literacy and quality libraries are some of the keys to educational success, including the ability to complete GED programs.
