Project Summary:
Wisconsin adults without a high school credential experience lower health literacy, reduced workforce access, and higher rates of chronic disease. National and state data show that limited health literacy is closely linked to poorer health outcomes and reduced use of preventive care. In Wisconsin, adults enrolled in GED, High School Equivalency Diploma, and credit-recovery programs represent a defined and reachable population at the intersection of education and health. Yet the current Department of Public Instruction-approved Health Literacy Exam, embedded in required credentialing pathways, expires in 2027 and has not undergone formal equity-centered validation under updated 2024 National Health Education Standards.
This two-year project will modernize and validate Wisconsin’s Health Literacy Assessment and develop a matched plain-language curriculum toolkit. In Year 1, the team will analyze approximately 2,500 historical administrations using Classical Test Theory methods and conduct four regional World Café sessions to identify design-related barriers and ensure cultural and contextual clarity. In Year 2, the team will revise 80 existing items, develop 20 community-informed items, pilot-test the revised 100-item assessment with approximately 200 adult learners, and complete reliability and subgroup performance analyses prior to DPI approval. A DPI-integrated data dashboard will replace the discontinued tracking infrastructure and preserve statewide equity monitoring.
The project will replace an expiring statewide requirement with a validated, standards-aligned, equity-tested assessment and aligned instructional toolkit embedded within Wisconsin’s adult education system. By strengthening measurement integrity and preserving demographic tracking, the project builds durable infrastructure that supports improved instruction, workforce readiness, and long-term health equity across Wisconsin.
Community Partners: MCW Institute for Healthcare Advancement/Health Literacy, Mission Neighborhood Health Center, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin Literacy, Inc.