There are no direct measures of adult literacy in Cuyahoga County. Instead, this report uses estimates based on a statistical model derived from the National Survey of Adult Literacy. Adult literacy levels range from Level 1 (the most basic) to Level 5 (the most complex). People with Level 1 literacy are at a severe disadvantage in the sense that they are likely to be excluded from all but minimum-wage work, although most can read to a minimal extent. Individuals with Level 2 literacy have somewhat higher skills, but are also at a disadvantage in terms of being able to meet the demands of 21st century life. Level 3 literacy is the minimum standard necessary according to the National Educational Goals Panel. The skills associated with Level 3 are required for most post-secondary education and training programs. Levels 4 and 5 are necessary for more advanced work. In Cleveland, 29 % of the population is estimated to be at Level 1 and 37% at Level 2. For Cuyahoga County as a whole, the percentages are 14% and 30% at Levels 1 and 2 respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in these estimates compared to 2000.