The State of Literacy
The challenge
Across Wisconsin, more than 1.5 million adults qualify for literacy services, and over 50% of adults read below a 6th-grade level (PIACC). 21,000 people in Northeast Wisconsin speak a language other than English at home (U.S. Census Bureau 2023). Nationally, 21% of adults in the U.S.—roughly 43 million people—have difficulty with basic literacy, including reading short texts, following instructions, or comparing information (NCES 2020).
Learning from our community
The State of Literacy Project is an effort led by Fox Valley Literacy to better understand how adults in our region navigate these challenges—and how we can do better. We know that literacy is more than a skill. It’s a key to independence, confidence, and connection. From April 2025 through August 2025, we gathered data from 804 community members and 37 organizations across Outagamie, Winnebago, Calumet, and Waupaca counties.
The main goals of the State of Literacy Project are to:
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Learn how people and organizations use literacy in real-life situations
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Understand what barriers exist to accessing or using literacy skills and tools
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Elevate community voices to inform programs and partnerships
Preliminary results of the 2025 Community Survey:
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A full report and the future
Looking ahead, the State of Literacy Project will focus on both immediate and long-term action. In the short term, our priorities include:
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Expanding flexible learning options
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Reducing daily barriers for learners
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Integrating digital and health literacy into existing classes
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Building on community strengths
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Sparking cross-sector conversations
Long-term strategies call for simplifying school and healthcare communications, fostering literacy-friendly workplaces, and formally linking support services.
Moving forward, success will rely on community-wide engagement. Individuals can support this effort by volunteering, taking or recommending classes, partnering with Fox Valley Literacy, donating, or simply sharing what they’ve learned.
Collective action is key to creating a region where literacy becomes a bridge to independence, confidence, and opportunity for all.
A full report will be released in fall 2025, offering deeper insights and a roadmap for continued progress. CONTACT US for updates on the State of Literacy Project by clicking the button below.
Acknowledgements
This project was made possible by the Nelson Family Foundation. Thank you to the incredible generosity of our community members who shared your experiences, aspirations, and guidance.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email stateofliteracy@foxvalleylit.org. Thank you for sharing your voice and helping shape the future of literacy in our community.
Hablamos español • Peb hais lus Hmoob • Tunaongea kiswahili • Nous parlons français • 我们说普通话
