Literacy in Georgia

Reading is not just a hobby it is a passion. My husband is just the opposite and does not like it and would much rather watch a movie. We have spent many nights with him watching a movie and me on the couch next to him reading a book. I get lost in the mystery or the romance that develops in the pages and I can't wait to find out 'who done it' or if the characters have their happily ever after. With this mind it is hard for me to wrap my mind around illiteracy. I know it exists but I find the statistics depressing. As I continue my research for the Environmental Scan of Gerogia I will share both the good and the needs improving areas in Georgia. Today I am going to share some education statistics with you from the Facts About Georgians: Our Health Depends on it (November 2005).

• Georgia has historically lagged behind the nation in educational status, and data suggest that the state still has much work to do in this arena
• Georgia has the lowest high school graduation rates in the country. The graduation rate varies by race, with 44% of black, 32% of Hispanic and 61% of white students graduating from high school.
• On a daily basis, 74,000 students in Georgia’s public schools are absent. Absenteeism is a major indicator of the number of students at high risk for becoming future dropouts.
• In 2004, the high school dropout rate was 12%. Rates among counties varied from a low of 2% to as high as 44%.
• Nearly one-fourth of Georgia adults may be illiterate (Literacy Level 1).

These statistics may look like lemons but we can still make lemonade in the future. Together we can work to improve our State.

Leslie James