On Sunday, CNN.com posted an article regarding America’s literacy problem. Last week, I posted about Save The Children’s recent study that found 68% of fourth graders are reading below their grade level, and CNN’s report puts a face on the problems facing adult readers.
About 30 million people – 14 percent of the US population16 and older- have trouble with basic reading and writing. Correlating factors that were explored in a new government report include poverty, ethnicity, native language, background and disabilities.
Of these 30 million people, 7 million are considered ‘nonliterate’ in English because their reading skills are so low. When shown the label for an over-the-counter drug, for instance, many in this subgroup cannot read the word ‘adult’ or a sentence explaining what to do in the event of an overdose.
One of the most interesting findings is the obvious link between low literacy levels and and crime, the subprime mortgage crisis and healthcare access – areas that disproportionately affect minority communities – and Congress’ efforts to retool the Workforce Investment Act (which will include provisions to fund adult literacy and basic education programs).
Another discussion for another day is the impact of what we read, particularly in the African-American community.
