Level and definition |
Key abilities associated with level |
Sample tasks typical of level |
|
Below Basic indicates no
more than the most simple
and concrete literacy skills.
Score ranges for Below Basic:
Prose: | 0–209 |
Document: | 0–204 |
Quantitative: | 0–234 |
|
Adults at the Below Basic level range from being nonliterate in
English to having the abilities listed below:
- locating easily identifiable information in short, commonplace prose texts
- locating easily identifiable information and following written instructions in simple documents (e.g., charts or forms)
- locating numbers and using them to perform simple quantitative operations (primarily addition) when the mathematical information is very concrete and familiar
|
- searching a short, simple text to find out what a patient is allowed to drink before a medical test
- signing a form
- adding the amounts on a bank deposit slip
|
|
Basic indicates skills necessary to perform simple and everyday literacy activities.
Score ranges for Basic:
Prose: | 210–264 |
Document: | 205–249 |
Quantitative: | 235–289 |
|
- reading and understanding information in short, commonplace prose texts
- reading and understanding information in simple documents
- locating easily identifiable quantitative information and using it to solve simple, one-step problems when the arithmetic operation is specified or easily inferred
|
- finding in a pamphlet for prospective jurors an explanation of how people were selected for the jury pool
- using a television guide to find out what programs are on at a specific time
- comparing the ticket prices for two events
|
|
Intermediate indicates skills necessary to perform moderately challenging literacy activities.
Score ranges for Intermediate:
Prose: | 265–339 |
Document: | 250–334 |
Quantitative: | 290–349 |
|
- reading and understanding moderately dense, less commonplace prose texts as well as summarizing, making simple inferences, determining cause and effect, and recognizing the author’s purpose
- locating information in dense, complex documents and making simple inferences about the information
- locating less familiar quantitative information and using it to solve problems when the arithmetic operation is not specified or easily inferred
|
- consulting reference materials to determine which foods contain a particular vitamin
- identifying a specific location on a map
- calculating the total cost of ordering specific office supplies from a catalog
|
|
Proficient indicates skills necessary to perform more complex and challenging literacy activities.
Score ranges for Proficient:
Prose: | 340–500 |
Document: | 335–500 |
Quantitative: | 350–500 |
|
- reading lengthy, complex, abstract prose texts as well as synthesizing information and making complex inferences
- integrating, synthesizing, and analyzing multiple pieces of information located in complex documents
- locating more abstract quantitative information and using it to solve multistep problems when the arithmetic operations are not easily inferred and the problems are more complex
|
- comparing viewpoints in two editorials
- interpreting a table about blood pressure, age, and physical activity
- computing and comparing the cost per ounce of food items
|
NOTE: Although the literacy levels share common names with the NAEP levels, they do not correspond to the NAEP levels.
SOURCE: Hauser, R.M, Edley, C.F. Jr., Koenig, J.A., and Elliott, S.W. (Eds.). (2005). Measuring Literacy: Performance Levels for Adults, Interim Report.Washington, DC: National Academies Press;White, S. and Dillow, S. (2005). Key Concepts and Features of
the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NCES 2006-471).U.S.Department of Education.Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.
|