According to the National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS):
Maine has 400,000 adults (42% of our adult population) functioning at Level 1
and 2.
Level 1 is defined as adult who can read a little, but not well enough to fill out an application, understand a food label or read a story to a child. According to NALS, about 15% of Maine's adults function at this level.
Level 2 readers can identify key pieces of information and perform simple calculations such as those on an order form. According to NALS, about 27% of Maine's adults function at this level.
According to the National Governors Association and others:
The new economy requires literacy skills at level 3 or above to succeed in family supporting employment.