UC Sees Improvement In Adult Literacy, Still An Issue For Area

Some 13 percent of the Upper Cumberland’s adult population is considered illiterate.

Cumberland Adult Reading Council Executive Director Mary Coates said that she believes part of the issue comes from generational practice.

“For many adults, it’s a pride issue,” Coates said. “They don’t want anybody to know that they can’t read or write or do basic math. And they have gotten along so well for so long and hidden that fact. It’s getting them out of their comfort zone and making them comfortable asking for help.”

Coates said she believes part of the issue comes from generational practice. She said that individuals with a family history of not graduating high school will continue that tradition because they see it’s possible to get by without a degree.

Coates said that she thinks this system is seeing some improvement, however, as more young people today are seeking out higher education than years before. Coates said that Tennessee was ranked 43rd in literacy in the U.S. in 2017. She said that new data shows the state has moved up to 36th literacy.

Coates said that when adults seek out programs like those offered by the Cumberland Adult Reading Council, it’s usually in a desire to make an improvement in their lives.

“We had a young man come in recently who wanted to read books to his 3-year-old daughter and he was not able to do that,” Coates said “So we’ve been working with him to read his little girl’s books. And we have another man in his 60s who can only read maybe on about a third-grade level so we’re helping him improve those skills. And by improving those skills if their goal is to obtain employment, maybe to move up in the organization or the company they work for, or just to better themselves for self-esteem.”