đ° Adult Literacy News Summary
White paper misses the mark by omitting adults
26-Oct-2025 - UK
The post-16 education and skills white paper could have been the defining moment for a genuine lifelong learning revolution. Instead, it risks being remembered as the âpre-19 paperâ - a document that narrows opportunity to youth and higher education while overlooking the millions of adults who also need, and deserve, access to learning.
Read moreLiterary festival audiences bigger than ever
25-Oct-2025 - UK
With budget cuts, libraries closing and a report showing half of UK adults rarely picked up a book for enjoyment, half of UK adults rarely picked up a book for enjoyment there could have been fears for literary festivals. But this year's Birmingham Literature Festival, which featured Midlands novelists Jonathan Coe and Kit de Waal, attracted more than 4,000 people - up by 500 when compared to last year.
Read moreThe Booker Prize Foundation announces the Childrenâs Booker Prize
24-Oct-2025 - UK
The Booker Prize Foundation announces the Childrenâs Booker Prize supported by AKO Foundation, the first prize for childrenâs fiction from the charity that awards the Booker Prize and International Booker Prize
Read more15% of Switzerlandâs population struggles with literacy
24-Oct-2025 - Switzerland
Around 15% of Switzerlandâs population aged between 16 and 65âsome 844,000 peopleâstruggle with reading, writing, numeracy and basic problem-solving. According to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), drawing on OECD data, these adults tend to earn less, participate less in the workforce and report lower levels of well-being and social engagement than those with stronger skills
Read moreAdult Literacy Education Research Journal
23-Oct-2025 - USA
Published three times a year by ProLiteracy in partnership with Rutgers University, ALE informs practitioners, researchers, policy makers, and funders about best practices in adult literacy, numeracy, and English language education in publicly funded, community and volunteer-based programs in a wide range of contexts. The journalâs mission is to publish research on adult basic and secondary education and transitions to college and career programs. Each issue includes research articles as well as timely content such as resource reviews, opinion pieces, and debates and discussions.
Read moreHow to Get Better at Reading
22-Oct-2025 - UK
The UK is experiencing a literacy crisis. Bookmark Reading Charity has reported that the rate of poor literacy is up by 20% compared to 2018/19, over seven million adults in England struggle with basic reading skills, and a quarter of children leave primary school unable to read well. In their Annual Literacy Survey 2024, the National Literacy Trust found that only one in three 8 to 18-year-olds say they enjoy reading in their spare time. Itâs a similar story in the US where education standards are on the decline. This graph shows the drop off in reading amongst US teens and this September study finds that only 16% of Americans are reading for pleasure.
Read morePreston charity teaching adults to learn to read seeks new team members
21-Oct-2025 - UK
Read Easy, a charity based in Preston, is seeking new candidates to help with their free and confidential learning to read programme. Set up in 2021, Read Easy offers a programme taking around 18 months and offers members of local public venues an opportunity to learn the life skill of reading. Coaching adults in libraries and community centres in Fulwood, Ribbleton and Ingol, the group are currently teaching 18 adults to read and grow confidence in the field.
Read moreWill Englandâs new reading test for secondary pupils be useful?
20-Oct-2025 - UK
All secondary-age school pupils in year eight (aged 12 and 13) in England will be required by the government to take a reading test. The declared purpose is to help drive up reading standards so that âeveryone can thriveâ. Is this additional test a good idea? Although the results of the tests will not be published, they will be provided to families and to Ofsted (the body responsible for school inspections in England). The existence of the tests may therefore encourage secondary schools to devote more attention to improving reading
Read moreJacqueline Wilson blames parents stuck on phones for falling child literacy rates
15-Oct-2025 - UK
Dame Jacqueline Wilson has said parents âscrollingâ on their phones are to blame for childrenâs poor literacy rates as she made a stirring call for change. The Tracy Beaker author said that after âloving a child and feeding a child, getting them to like books is the third thingâ. Speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, she said she hopes parents are not âso attached to their own phones and scrolling all the timeâ and will consider reading to their children when they are really young.
Read moreEducation Secretary to set new reading standards in schools to stop kids 'falling through the cracks'
15-Oct-2025 - UK
The Education Secretary will announce the standards as part of the Government's forthcoming Schools White Paper. In her speech to the Confederation of School Leaders, she will set out ambitious new targets and tests for both schools and students. This includes an aim for 90% of pupils to reach the expected standard in phonics by the end of year 1. Currently, 89% of children reach the standard by end of year 2, with only 80% achieving the standard by the end of year 1.
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