Courtesy of Dr. Barry Shaffer, Minnesota State Director of Adult Education

General

-        8% of Minnesota's adult population is at the lowest of five levels of functional literacy and 20% have "functional literacy" needs.  - National Adult Literacy Survey, 1993

-        There are about 80,000 adults enrolled in adult literacy programs around the state each year. These learners are served at about 500 adult literacy sites by more than 1,100 licensed instructors and almost 4,000 volunteers. - Minnesota Department of Education

High School Completion

-       The number of high school dropouts has increased from 8,780 (2.5%) in 1985 to 14,325 (5.7%) in 2000. The minority dropout rate was 13% (4,979) in 2000.  - Minnesota Department of Education

-        17.6% of Minnesotans over 25 years old (488,775 adults) lack high school equivalency.  - 2000 U.S.Census

-        There are 624,250 people 16 and over who lack high school equivalency and are not enrolled in school.  - 2000 U.S.Census

-        42% of the current MFIP (Minnesota public assistance) caseload do not have a high school degree or the equivalent. Many participants who have completed a high school education have reading and math abilities far below the 12th grade level. It is often difficult for this group to find and retain jobs.               - Department of Human Services Report

-        The average annual per pupil cost for ABE is $500. If Minnesota high schools had no dropouts, the state K-12 budget would require $50 million more per year (10,000 dropouts x $5,000 per year). Given this differential cost per learner, ABE is a highly cost-effective "safety net" for dropouts.  - Minnesota Department of Education

-        One out of every 11 diplomas issued in Minnesota during 2003 was a GED or Adult High School Diploma.  - Minnesota Department of Education

Immigrants and Refugees in Minnesota

-        MN's immigrant and refugee population has expanded to record levels, especially Asian, Hispanic and African population groups. 5.3% of all Minnesotans are foreign-born; an estimated 200,000 are in need of ESL.            - Department of Human Services, 2001

-        Minnesota has the highest proportion of refugees (compared to total legal immigrants) of any state in the nation.  - 2004 League of Women Voters Report

-         Nationwide, Minnesota has the largest population of Somali immigrants – 15,000 – most having arrived within the last 5 years.  - 2004 League of Women Voters Report

-         Minnesota has the second highest population of Hmong and the largest urban Hmong population in the United States.  - 2004 League of Women Voters Report

-        Approximately 35,000 permanent Minnesota residents lack U.S. citizenship.   - 2000 Department of Human Services estimate

Literacy and Employment

-        Major Minnesota employers report large costs to train and retrain employees whose lack of basic skills or ability to speak English are liabilities to the profit line.  - Minnesota Business Partnership

-        The average high school dropout earns $7,000 less annually than the average high school graduate (or equivalent).  - 2000 U.S.Census

-        36% of job applicants tested by major U.S. firms in 1998 lacked the reading and math skills to do the job they sought. This figure is up from 23% in 1997 and 19% in 1996.   - American Management Association

-        Job seekers with educations below that of a typical dropout will qualify for just 9% of the new jobs created between 1998 and 2008.   -Educational Testing Service Study 2002

-        One out of every 15 workers in Minnesota is an immigrant or refugee.         - 2004 League of Women Voters Report

Adult Literacy and Children

-        Public schools report that the number of parents whose lack of basic skills are barriers to the success of their children is growing, not declining.                    - Minnesota Department of Education