Literacy education is a vital part of any society's educational needs and goals. Around the world, many people cannot read or write a single sentence making the illiteracy rate surprising to some. Typically, in most industrialized nations, the literacy rate of persons over the age of fifteen, is 90 percent or above. However, the definition of literacy can be quite misleading. It has been estimated that while 99% of persons over the age of fifteen in the United States are able to write their names, and read some words, certain studies have estimated that 40 to 50% of adults are functionally illiterate.
The phrase functionally illiterate describes those persons over the age of fiteen who are unable to read well enough to read a daily newspaper and comprehend it, or to read well enough to understand a simple contract, or a basic letter concerning their children's school needs, or the pamphlets that are enclosed with prescription drugs that explain side effects and precautions.

Certainly, this illiteracy makes it very hard for a person to hold a well paying job, or to care for a family member, and is a contributing factor to poverty. Other studies have demonstrated that the functional illiteracy rates in the United States are not as high as 40 to 50 percent across the population, but the studies do acknowledges that in certain impoverished regions of the country, as many as one-third of the residents are functionally illiterate.

Even if the statistical rates of functional literacy may vary from one study to another, it is still apparent that a high number of adults in this country are poor readers. This has tremendous implications for employers and social service programs. Employers need to have an educated workforce to perform well in various jobs that bring revenue to a community. People who cannot read well enough to have a good job are more likely to need social services assistance, which costs taxpayers more money. Therefore, it is important that literacy education be promoted as a highly important need for all communities. Literacy education needs to begin from early childhood, with parents spending time talking to and reading to even the youngest of children. Additionally, early learning programs are a vital part of literacy education for young children to prepare them to read once school begins. In addition to a literacy program, other programs such as early identification of those with learning disorders are also critical for children to get the help that they need before they fall too far behind in reading.

However, many older people did not receive the appropriate education and intervention, and are now struggling to read well enough to function in society as well. A literacy program can be a vital component of any community. Literacy can certainly be achieved in adolescents and adults, even in the elderly. It is very challenging to go back and learn later in life, as the brain is more receptive to learning concepts of language and literacy more readily before the age of eight. Literacy education covers the areas of phonics, sight recognition of letters and words, spelling, writing, and reading comprehension. Many literacy education programs are aimed at practical applications, and classes often practice reading job applications, newspapers, simple contracts and medical information. Adults in particular require a great deal of emotional support to avoid having them get frustrated and give up too easily. Those who teach a literacy program to adolescents and adults do not always need to be certified teachers. Many programs have had great success with trained volunteers who learn specific techniques to provide literacy education to older persons.

With clear direction and a committed staff, a literacy program can be a tremendous help for any community which wants to increase its numbers of functionally literate adults who can participate fully in the workforce and have a greater success in life.