Literacy Assistance Center

Literacy Assistance Center
39 Broadway, Suite 1250
New York, NY 10006
Phone (212)803-3300
Fax (212)785-3685

Contact Us

Statistics on NY State Literacy Programs & Students

These statistics on literacy programs in New York State for fiscal year 2005 were generated by ALIES®, the LAC’s data management service.

National Assessment of Adult Literacy in New York
The Effectiveness of NYS Literacy Programs
Student Demographics
Program Information

The Effectiveness of New York State Literacy Programs

In program year 2005, New York’s literacy programs met or exceeded the targets established under the National Reporting System requirement of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. All this at a cost of only $663 per student per year, according to the New York State Education Department.

Students showing educational gain

Instructional level NYC NYS State NRS targets
ABE Beginning Literacy 35% 31% 22%
ABE Beginning Basic Education 37% 34% 30%
ABE Intermediate Low 36% 33% 32%
ABE Intermediate High 22% 24% 35%
ASE Low 22% 24% 37%
ESL Beginning Literacy 31% 27% 31%
ESL Beginning 43% 40% 30%
ESL Intermediate Low 45% 40% 35%
ESL Intermediate High 42% 37% 35%
ESL Low Advanced 39% 36% 32%
ESL High Advanced 18% 18% 30%
Total 33% 31% N/A

Student goals achieved

Stated goal at enrollment NYC NYS State NRS targets
Entered employment 84% 79% 30%
Retained employment 52% 52% 42%
Obtained a GED or secondary school diploma 97% 75% 31%
Entered post-secondary education or training 91% 78% 32%

Student Demographics

Enrollment by Region

Region Number of students Percent
East 6,454 4%
Hudson Valley 28,558 18%
Long Island 27,136 17%
Midstate 12,461 8%
Midwest 8,562 5%
New York City 62,467 39%
West 13,770 9%
Total 159,408 100%

Student Gender

Gender Number Percent
Female 95,230 60%
Male 64,178 40%
Total 159,408 100%

Student Age Group

Age Group Number Percent
16-18 6,604 4%
19-24 35,085 22%
25-44 81,392 51%
45-59 28,418 18%
60 + 7,909 5%
Total 159,408 100%

Student Ethnicity

Ethnicity Number Percent
Native American or Alaskan 1,287 1%
Asian 15,037 9%
Black or African American 38,125 24%
Latino 68,800 43%
White 35,889 23%
Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 270 .02%
Total 159,408 100%

Student Employment Status at Enrollment

Employment Status Number Percent
Employed, part time or full time 75,714 47%
Unemployed 552,314 33%
Not available for employment 31,380 20%
Total 159,408 100%

Program Information

Enrollment by Type of Instruction

Instruction Type Number Percent
Basic education 72,975 46%
English for speakers of other languages 86,433 54%
Total 159,408 100%

Enrollment by Level

Instruction Type Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Basic education 7,056 11,665 19,525 23,070 6,858 4,801
ESOL 44,600 13,578 8,457 7,374 5,632 6,792
Total 51,656 15,243 27,982 30,444 12,490 11,593

Instructors’ Employment Status

Status Number Percent
Full time 2030 11%
Part time 15,224 88%
Total 17,281 100%
Volunteer 8584 50%
Paid 8670 50%

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