Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
In a report that provides statistics for individual cities and counties, the National Institute for Literacy has demonstrated that we are far from reaching the goal of a fully literate America.
The report, made available to Kosciusko Literacy Volunteers of America, shows that Kosciusko County has a 10 percent rating for literacy level 1. Literacy skills are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 reflecting the highest skills and 1 the lowest.
The rating means that 10 percent of the adult population of Kosciusko County cannot read beyond the third grade level. This limits their ability to understand manufacturer's manuals, driver's training manuals, job-related information and safety manuals, as well as their ability to pick up a book, magazine, newspaper, a church bulletin, the Bible or a catalog and fully understand what they are able to read.
Only five Indiana counties had a lower rating for level 1 - Boone, DeKalb, Hamilton, Hancock and Hendricks, each having 9 percent.
"We are encouraged by the fact that Kosciusko County rates with those having the lowest percentage of level 1," said Grace Abbott, executive director of KLVA. "But it also means our work is cut out for us."
The report also gave levels for cities in Indiana. Warsaw rates 13 percent at level 1. Other cities rated at 13 percent were Beech Grove, Crawfordsville and Mishawaka. Many cities were rated at a higher percentage, meaning they had more illiteracy; a few were rated lower.
Kosciusko Literacy Volunteers of America recruits and trains tutors and learning partners to work with students at the Alternative Learning Center. If you are interested in helping an adult learn to read, or to improve basic reading skills, either in English or Spanish, please call KLVA at 267-5380. If you know someone who needs help with literacy skills, please assure them that coming to ALC is non-threatening, free and confidential.
