top of page

Latest News


Appalachian Learning Initiatiave Releases 2024 Annual Report
The Appalachian Learning Initiative (APPLI, pronounced like "apply") released its Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2024 on April 16th, 2025.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Apr 152 min read


Appalachian Kentucky in 2025
As of the most recent data release, nearly 3 out of every 4 adults aged 16-65 living in Kentucky's Appalachian counties read at or below an 8th Grade level.
In addition to reading proficiency issues, nearly 4 out of every 5 adults struggle with basic math.
Kentucky's Appalachian counties tend to have significantly higher incidence and prevalence rates of both infectious and non-infectious diseases and health behaviors, and face substantial barriers to health and learning.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Mar 155 min read


Appalachian Georgia in 2025
As of the most recent data release, more than 3 out of every 5 adults aged 16-65 living in Georgia's Appalachian counties read at or below an 8th Grade level.
In addition to reading proficiency issues, nearly 3 out of every 4 adults struggle with basic math.
Georgia's Appalachian counties tend to have significantly higher incidence and prevalence rates of both infectious and non-infectious diseases and health behaviors, and face substantial barriers to health and learning.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Feb 155 min read


Appalachian Alabama in 2025
Nearly 2 out of every 3 adults living in Alabama's Appalachian counties read at or below an 8th Grade level
Marcus J. Hopkins
Jan 305 min read


New Literacy and Numeracy Data Spell Trouble Ahead
New data released by the National Center for Education Statistics found that a significantly larger percentage of adults living in the U.S.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Dec 10, 20242 min read


Appalachian Tennessee's Struggles Continue to Mount
APPLI has been highlighting the adult literacy, numeracy, public health, and socioeconomic struggles in Appalachian Tennessee.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Oct 31, 20244 min read


The Appalachian State of South Carolina in 2024
Just 7 of South Carolina's 46 counties lie within the Appalachian Region.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Sep 29, 20242 min read


Funding Failures in Adult Education
This year we began examining federal funding for adult education through various funding mechanisms. The United States has a funding problem
Marcus J. Hopkins
Feb 28, 20245 min read


What's Ahead for APPLI in 2024
2024 is well underway, so I wanted to provide some insight into what the Appalachian Learning Initiative has planned for the year.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Jan 31, 20243 min read


How Do You Solve a Problem Like Mathematics?
In 2022, out of 81 countries that participated in PISA evaluations, American students scored 26th in mathematics skills.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Dec 13, 20233 min read


Appalachian Learning Initiative to Present Research at ATRN 2023 Annual Health Summit
The Appalachian Learning Initiative will be presenting at the ATRN 2023 Annual Health Summit on Friday, October 6th, 2023.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Sep 12, 20231 min read


Appalachian Learning Initiative Expands Board of Directors
The Appalachian Learning Initiative announced today the expansion of its Board of Directors to include three new members.
Marcus J. Hopkins
May 15, 20232 min read


County-Level Adult Education Resource Listings Now Available
The Appalachian Learning Initiative has begun rolling out the latest feature on our website: county-level adult education resources.
Marcus J. Hopkins
Feb 28, 20233 min read
bottom of page