Critical perspectives on literacy and education

Adult literacy in the United States is assessed through national and international studies conducted by various government agencies and private research organizations. The most recent comprehensive data comes from a 2023 study conducted by the Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) as part of the OECD's Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies. In 2023, 28% of adults scored at or below Level 1, 29% at Level 2, and 44% at Level 3 or above. Adults scoring in the lowest levels of literacy increased 9 percentage points between 2017 and 2023. In 2017, 19% of U.S. adults achieved a Level 1 or below in literacy, while 48% achieved the highest levels.