Focus on Literacy Across the Lifespan

This combined report​, written in partnership by the University of Delaware's Center for Community Research and Service (CCRS) and the Institute for Public Administration (IPA), explores Literacy Through the Lifespan and links two briefs: Adult Literacy in Delaware & Child Literacy in Delaware: Raising Readers Birth Through Teens.

Literacy indicators were reviewed through an equity lens with context of the distribution of Delaware's overall child and adult populations. A call to action is featured for community supports to be in place to meet the literacy needs of children and adults. When these essential skills are acquired, families and communities are given tools they need to succeed.

Growing literacy in an equitable manner depends on a comprehensive approach of both access to information as well as enrichment activities like family engagement and public investment, in a variety of spheres across the state. Health Literacy, Financial Literacy, Media Literacy, Cultural Literacy, and Digital Literacy are all pieces of Delaware's literacy landscape that require unique literacy skills to be developed. In this brief, researchers recommend a multi-generational approach to best prepare citizens for success across all sectors.​