Ability Quote by Charles Colson
“The average college graduate's proficient literacy in English [the ability to read lengthy, complex texts and draw complicated inferences] has declined from 40 percent in 1992 to 31 percent ten years later.”
About This Quote
Source Report: National Assessment of Adult Literacy, 1992‑2002, United States
Literacy in English among college graduates has fallen noticeably over a decade, indicating a weakening ability to comprehend complex texts and infer meaning.
In simple terms: College English literacy dropped from 40% to 31% in ten years.
Address reading skill gaps early.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- college curricula
- adult education programs
- workplace training
- public policy debates
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What factors contribute to declining literacy?
- How can institutions improve complex reading skills?
Data may reflect measurement changes rather than true ability loss.