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In 2003, the National Center for Education Statistics, part of the U.S. Department of Education, conducted the National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) to measure adult English literacy skills across the nation. The NAAL surveyed and tested over 18,500 adults (age 16 and older) to help provide state and county estimates of literacy levels. People who lack Basic Prose Literacy Skills (BPLS) include those who cannot read English to people who can only identify easy information in short, commonplace text, but nothing more advanced.

Reporting by Zainab Mudallal. Design by Marlena Chertock.

Capital News Service

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