Many adult learners take classes not to get a new job but to be able to help with their children’s education. kali9/E+ Collection via Getty Images August 25, 2026 Do more than half of Philadelphia adults really read at or below 5th grade level? It’s time for a new way to describe what they know Jennifer D. Kobrin, University of Tennessee An adult can read at a fifth grade level and still be a productive employee or caregiver who navigates practical life with competence.
