What is the target population for the indirect estimates and is it the same as for the NAAL direct estimates?
The NAAL and the NALS household samples were designed to be nationally representative samples of the population of persons who were 16 years of age or older, excluding persons not living in households or college dormitories, at the time of the interview. This population is the starting point for both the direct and indirect estimates. Adults who could not be tested because of a mental disability that precluded conducting the interview do not contribute to either the direct or the indirect estimates. The direct estimates also exclude adults who were unable to take the assessment because of a language barrier. However, these adults are included in the indirect estimates and are classified as lacking Basic Prose Literacy Skills (BPLS) on the grounds that they can be considered to be at the lowest level of English literacy. As a result, the indirect estimates of the percentages of adults lacking BPLS are not comparable to the percentages of adults Below Basic in prose literacy in other NAA
