The ability to read, write, speak, compute and solve problems in English is essential for successful people, businesses and communities. After a year of study and discussion by almost 200 volunteers from all sectors of the community, a task force organized by United Way has published recommendations for addressing Tarrant County’s adult literacy crisis. The task force also has announced the formation of a new Tarrant Literacy Coalition. United Way will provide staff support until the coalition becomes a stand-alone nonprofit organization.
 

Compared with 14 percent nationwide, 20 percent of Tarrant County’s adults—about 238,000—cannot read English well enough to follow a bus schedule or read a simple story to their children. Locally, an additional 27.8 percent lack the skills to earn a meaningful wage. Literacy is a problem for people who speak English as a second language, and those who drop out of high school or graduate with limited skills.
 

There has been little coordination among literacy service providers in the past, and many programs have insufficient funding and training. All of the current programs combined serve fewer than four percent of the people in Tarrant County who need them. The Tarrant Literacy Coalition will

• Encourage partnerships to provide more effective and economical services to more people

• Collect information on Tarrant County’s literacy progress

• Evaluate literacy programs and recognize those of exceptional quality