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About Academy of Hope Programs & Services | Mission & Goals| Staff | Funders| Student Accomplishments Student & Local Statistics Staggering. That's the best description for statistics about adult education levels in Washington, DC. A 1997 survey by the National Institute for Literacy showed that nearly 37 percent of the city's adults read at the lowest literacy level-they cannot interpret a map, complete a job application, or read a newspaper. This statistic is not surprising in light of the 1990 U.S. Census: it revealed that 20 percent of adults in the area have not graduated from high school-that translates into 130,000 DC residents! Parents who lack basic literacy skills often pass that legacy on to their children. Study after study has shown that children of parents who have not completed high school are much more likely to drop-out of school themselves. This correlation may partially explain Washington, DC's remarkably high drop-out rate-in 1997, nearly 33 percent left high school without earning their diplomas. Finally, low literacy levels are directly correlated to unemployment, poverty, homelessness, and poor health. These carry enormous costs not only for individuals and their families, but for us all. The Academy's Students As low-income and no-income adults, our students must address a host of daily concerns in addition to their studies. Many are struggling to overcome drug or alcohol addiction or to re-enter the workplace after many years without a job. Some lack adequate housing or have gone years with out healthcare. Others have small children or full-time jobs, so must juggle complex schedules. Nearly all have serious financial concerns. Even transportation to the school can be a vexing problem: Betty, a three year student at the Academy, spends two hours on city buses each class day in pursuit of her GED. Our recent enrollments show the following student demographics:
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