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Houston's Adult Literacy Blueprint

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Houston's Adult Literacy Blueprint

Houston Public Library

Education - Children & Adults | 2021

Innovation Synopsis

Houston’s Adult Literacy Blueprint, the city’s first, is a catalyst for unprecedented citywide strategic action to address the pervasive crisis of adult illiteracy. Led by the Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy, with the Library’s oversight, and Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, over 100+ stakeholders rallied to develop this plan.

Challenge/Opportunity

HPL addressed these challenges:

  • 32% adults in Harris County have low functional literacy
  • Unrealized economic growth of $13 billion for city due to adult low literacy
  • Lack of comprehensive plan of action both locally and nationally
  • Increase community awareness to view adult low literacy as systemic issue/silent crisis that affects multiple generations
  • Need for common data/learning management system to support provider capacity/adult learning
  • Close gaps in access to digital resources for improved literacy outcomes

Key Elements of Innovation

Key elements are:

  • Prioritization at Mayoral level through launch of MOAL with challenge to eradicate adult illiteracy by 2036.
  • MOAL is only city office of its kind in nation to address adult literacy with oversight by a public library
  • Archetype comprehensive plan dedicated to advancing adult literacy; identified as a model by other U.S. cities
  • First ever adult literacy focused approach with 100+ stakeholders
  • Collaboration w/GALLUP/BBHLF to produce first ever City “ROI” report on cost of adult low literacy

Achieved Outcomes

Achievements include:
• COH received COABE 2020 Adult Ed Leadership Award
• In-kind investment of $250K+ for Blueprint
• MOAL invited to participate in national adult literacy blueprint development; whereby Houston Blueprint will be model for replication
• Blueprint establishment results in new partner/donor response: Expanded hotspot/laptop kits to adult learners with new donors EOG/Marathon Oil. Only city engaged in Literacy Minnesota’s AmeriCorps Digital Literacy Initiative
• National stage for adult ed. via ABC 13


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