In the field of literary reform, there are many problems that arise causing the reformation to be stalled or even halted. In addition to these issues, there are a variety of stakeholders that play key roles in combating these smaller issues that inhibit action on the more pressing one. Through careful research practices and evaluation of actions that stakeholders have previously undergone, a solution that better embraces the mission of these organizations can arise. The Problems That Arise when Combating Illiteracy Rates in the US Although there are many programs in place with missions that include an aim to raise the rate of literacy in America, the number of effective programs is relatively slim. There are various challenges to educational and literacy development. In low-income communities the most prevalent obstacles to combating illiteracy are “the negative image on part of the educated and gainfully employed towards low-income communities” (Wadden & Fagan, n.d.). This creates a lack of understanding of the community which stems from baggage from school experiences, limited funds, single parent responsibilities, and a lack of identity with the more privileged community. Susan B. Neuman, a renowned faculty member at the Center for Improvement of Early Reading Achievement at the University of Michigan, states that the single biggest barrier to literacy development in the United States and beyond is access to books and educational material. “If we can solve the problem of access, we will be well on the road to realizing educational parity – a goal which has eluded the country for generations” (Book Trust, n.d.). Although this is a factor in the scheme of illiteracy, it is not necessarily the most important one. Research... ... middle of paper ... ...inable-business/ Von Zastrow, C. (2008, December 12). Changing the odds for children at risk: An interview with susan b. neuman. Retrieved from Learning First website: http://www.learningfirst.org/changing-odds-children-risk-interview-susan-b-neuman Wadden, M., & Fagan, B. (n.d.). Literacy development: A community perspective. Retrieved from Memorial University website: http://www.mun.ca/educ/faculty/mwatch/fall01/wadden-fagan.htm Waldfogel, J. (2012). The Role of Out-of-School Factors in the Literacy Problem. Literacy Challenges for the Twenty-First Century, 22(2), 39-49. Retrieved from http://futureofchildren.org/futureofchildren/publications/docs/22_02_03.pdf Waters, E. (2011, November 1). The roles of educational stakeholders and influencing factors. Retrieved from http://voices.yahoo.com/the-roles-educational-stakeholders-influencing-10343743.html?cat=4
Jones Diaz, C. (2007). Literacy as social practice. In L. Makin, C. Jones Diaz & L. McLachlan (Eds.), Literacies in childhood: Changing views, challenging practice. (pp. 203-216).Marrickville, NSW: Elsevier.
Gomez, L. M., & Gomez, K. (2007). Reading for learning: Literacy supports for 21st-century work. Phi
The Open University (2010) ‘Part 1: What is Literacy? What are Literacy Difficulties’, E801 Difficulties in Literacy Development Study Guide Milton Keynes, The Open University, p.17.
Illiteracy in America is still growing at an alarming rate and that fact has not changed much since Rudolf Flesch wrote his best-selling expose of reading instruction
Literacy embraces reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Integrating all of these into a literacy program is key. Teachers must provide endless and ongoing opportunities for their student to read, write, listen, and speak.
Forty-four million adults in the United States are unable to read a simple story to their children, and 50 percent of adults have literacy skills below an eighth grade level (Literacy Project Foundation, 2015). A contributing factor to this situation is that many secondary students are graduating high school with the inability to read at a college and career reading level. Studies have found that only 36 percent of high school seniors performed at or above the proficient reading level, while 27 percent performed below the basic level (U.S. Department of Education, 2013), and only 44 percent of high school students in the United States met the reading-readiness benchmark on the 2013 ACT college entrance exam (Alliance for Excellent Education,
The author of “Illiteracy: The Downfall of American Society” cautions that illiteracy is linked to low employment rates, low education rates, and a higher crime rate. Illiterate adults fail to complete everyday tasks, which can lead to serious problems. They do not have the ability to read road signs or emergency alerts and are not aware of the dangers that are close by. The United States Literacy Decade (USLD) reports that one in five adults cannot read or write. The United Nations are working to minimize illiteracy with the help of the citizens in order to help the economy expand. People can promote literacy by volunteering to tutor around their neighborhood and advertising book clubs. They can even donate unwanted books to local libraries or suggest reading programs. Illiterate children will grow into illiterate adults. Therefore, it is vital that literacy is encouraged at the youngest age possible. It is suggested that literacy is made fun for young audiences so that they can grow up to enjoy it. In conclusion, illiteracy should not be tolerated, especially for young
Doake, David B. Literacy learning: A revolution in progress. Bothell, Washington: The Wright Group. 1995. http://blindness.growingstrong.org/ed/aa010101a.htm
Students should have access to books that will provide high accuracy reading. The teachers studied realized that not all students read at the same level, and many of these teachers were left to buy books that were needed to successfully teach their students. Since these teachers catered to the needs of each student, the teachers noticed an acceleration of literacy development even in their lowest-achieving students.
Thirty-two million adults in the United States can’t read. This is 14% of our population. As an educator, I find this to be as inexcusable as neglect and abuse. According to a study conducted in April 2013 by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institute of literacy, 21 % of adults in the U.S. read below a 5th grade level, and 19 % of high school graduates can’t read” ( July 21, 2014 retrieved from www.huffingtonpost.com). How can one of the wealthiest and most influential country allows its citizens to be illiterate? But more importantly, how do we correct this? We must be diligent in our approach to teaching literacy with research based, well thought out methods, such as the reading process taught to us during the recent Lesley Summer Literacy Institute.
With statistics like these it makes me wonder what is there that can be done and I found the literary council in Corpus Christi, Texas. “The mission of the Corpus Christi Literacy Council is to identify, develop, promote and coordinate comprehensive programs and resources that will measurably reduce functional illiteracy in the Corpus Christi Bay Area.”(http://ccliteracy.org/about-us/mission-and-goals/).
.... (Elley, p.228) To solve the problem of illiteracy in the U.S. and the world will take time and a better understanding of the many causes that create our society of readers. "The value of literacy for achieving fulfilling, productive, expanding and participating lives of freedom in modern societies is undoubted, and unquestioned. At the same time, however, literacy does not seem to be well understood." &endash;H. Graff (Ed.). (1981). Literacy and social development in the west: A reader.
Teale, W. H. (2009). Students learning English and their literacy instruction in urban schools. The Reading Teacher, 62,
Kofi Annan once said, “Literacy unlocks the door to learning throughout life. It is essential to development and health, and opens the way for democratic participation and active citizenship. Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.” Education is the most important factor to building a strong foundation in life. No matter where anyone goes, the need for an education is important in living a healthy, safe, and successful life in America. Many adults still lack the ability to read and understand the world around them because they are not literate. There are many factors that do contribute to the literacy level in the U.S. like poverty, poor education, learning disabilities, and race/ethnic backgrounds. The affects are passed down to the children,
Literacy is the quality or state of being literate. It traditionally understood as an ability to read and write. Academically, literacy has also evolved from an exclusive focus on reading and writing to encompass a more inclusive and expansive perspective. Everyone’s life has rare moments which have the potential to influence the craft of understanding that directly has the abiding impression for lifetime. As for learning process which composes the reading and writing aspect, there comes an event that helps people to grasp the legitimacy of learning which turn out to be the moment of learning for some people in very motivating and inspiring manner. Let me give you my short history of progression in literacy that have been developed and influenced