Literacy in Forsyth County (2000 Census)

• 9,286 Forsyth County residents have no high school diploma, a third of this number have not completed the ninth grade.
• The above number does not include those between ages 16-25 who are high school dropouts.
• 5,477 Hispanics live in Forsyth County (5.6%). Many speak no English or do not speak English well enough to function.
• In this affluent county, almost 20% of the population may not have the basic tools to compete in a changing workplace.
• Lack of literacy skills is connected with unemployment, poverty, welfare, crime, and substance abuse.

The Impact of Literacy

• As a local business, we are able to see firsthand the need for a literate community to be able to hire, train, and retain valuable employees" -Valery Lang Hall. (Lang Signs)
• "Statistical data reflects that lack of literacy skills is interconnected with unemployment, poverty, welfare, crime, ill health, inadequate housing and substance abuse." -Judge Jeffrey S. Bagley. (Superior Court)
• "A focus on learning in the home, greater levels of parental involvement ..., and improved job opportunities for our families provide pillars for  student academic achievement needed for success in the 21st Century."-Paula Gault
• "Often parents who cannot read perpetuate an inter-generational cycle of illiteracy... unable to help their own children with such daily tasks as preparing schoolwork…." Forsyth County Board of Commissioners.