At right: Former First Lady, Barbara Bush
In June 2015, the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy announced a partnership with the XPRIZE to foster the development of groundbreaking programs aimed to address low adult literacy worldwide.
Now, 109 teams from 19 countries around the world are competing to develop mobile software that results in the greatest gains in adult literacy skills.
Upon the announcement of the 3 million dollar grand prize in February 2016, Liza McFadden, president and CEO of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, said “Nearly two-thirds of Americans are now smartphone owners, and among those with relatively low income and educational levels, younger adults are very likely to be smart phone-dependent. This will give us the opportunity to put educational tools directly into their hands.”
In all, the Barbara Bush Foundation and X Prize initiative will grant a total of 7 million dollars—1 million of that will additionally go to the city that encourages the greatest percentage of its adult learners to download and use any of the finalist mobile app solutions over a six-month period.
Among the top researchers and thought leaders in literacy who sit on the selection committee are Dr. Bennett and Sally Shaywitz, the founders and co-directors of Yale University’s Center for Dyslexia and Creativity.
To learn more about the Barbara Bush Foundation—XPRIZE competition, please visit: http://adultliteracy.xprize.org/