ILLITERACY.   Term Paper ID:19021 Click to get this paper

Essay Subject: Causes & effects. Demographics, socio-economics, employment, govt. policy.... More...

10 Pages / 2250 Words 8 sources, 38 Citations, APA Format $40.00 Return to List of Papers

Paper Abstract: Causes & effects. Demographics, socio-economics, employment, govt. policy. Paper Introduction: Illiteracy is a growing problem in American society. Congress has responded to this problem by developing major bills which are designed to provide funding for the national coordination of literacy programs (Fields, 1991, p. 12). The prevalence of illiteracy in the United States today can be seen in the report of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee, which claimed: "23 million Americans are illiterate. Another 45 million adults read with only minimal comprehension" (Collins, 1990, p. D2). When the Federal Emergency Management Agency responded to the Hurricane Hugo disaster in rural South Carolina, thousands of people were unable to sign their own names on their relief applications or to read the brochures provided by the agency (X marks the spot, 1990, p. 20). The majority of America's illiterate population is to be Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. 2 ). This can be seen, for example, in the useof training videos instead of written materials, or in the use of cashregisters which show pictures of food rather than words and numbers(Current programs, 1988, p. Because of the importance of literacy to the nation's internationalstatus, government officials have begun seeking ways for improving thesituation. The long-term impact of illiteracy inAmerica today may also be felt in terms of international competition. Whenthe Federal Emergency Management Agency responded to the Hurricane Hugodisaster in rural South Carolina, thousands of people were unable to signtheir own names on their relief applications or to read the brochuresprovided by the agency (X marks the spot, 199 , p. Whenparents and other adult relatives are illiterate, the chances are increasedthat the children in the family will grow up to be illiterate as well.Another reason why illiteracy rates are higher among the poor is the factthat poor children often drop out of school at an early age. Some researchersbelieve that illiteracy and poverty are related because the poor often have"little educational tradition in the family" (Gardner, 199 , p. Los Angeles Times, p. Poor familiesfrequently do not place great value on education. population. Daedalus119: pp. Illiteracy is more prevalent in poor populations because reading andwriting are not seen as being necessary for survival in such environments.In families which are financially stable, a high value is placed onliteracy as well as other aspects of the educational process. 1 -11). Illiteracy is a growing problem in American society. As noted by Yellin and Koetting (1991), "childrenfrom lower-class homes acquire skills and knowledge which prepare them tocope with the life experiences they will encounter in their communities,but when measured against school standards (such as IQ tests), thesechildren appear deficient and inadequate" (p. Thus, it can be seen that many Americancompanies today "are engaged less in developing literacy skills and more injust dumbing down the job so people who can't read well can do the work"(Current programs, 1988, pp. Because theschools are incapable of helping them with their reading and writingproblems, illiterate children often become frustrated with the system anddrop-out from it. Inthis regard, "research has shown that poor children are more likely to belabeled learning disabled at an early age, placed in the lowest group ortrack, and often required to do less work" (Yellin & Koetting, 1991, p.15). For example, many functionally illiterate people"cannot follow written instructions, take a driver's license test or answera help-wanted advertisement" (Getting a read, 1988, p. Resnick, L. For example, in the rural regions of the South, "one in four of allsouthern adults left school at 14; for blacks, the figure is three out ofevery eight" (X marks the spot, 199 , p. 16). A disturbing trend can be seen in the tendency toward making Americanjobs easier and requiring fewer literacy skills for employees. Congress set to act on literacy fundingtotaling $432 million. In addition to poor people feeling that literacy is of little use intheir everyday lives, it may be noted that the schools have also failed bynot somehow making reading and writing more interesting or useful to suchpeople. In somecases, employers have tried to compensate for the problem by providing on-the-job literacy training for their workers (Current programs, 1988, p.1 ). 14). D2). D2. According to Yellin andKoetting (1991), illiteracy represents an "achievement gap" between theupper and lower classes in American society (p. In this regard, getting a job atall is next to impossible for drop-outs. Thisclaim is supported by the fact that "most students with literacy problemsdrop out as soon as possible" (Getting a read, 1988, p. It can free such peoplefrom their poverty by making it possible for them to rise to the higherlevels of society where literacy is required. For example:"Some experts draw the line of functional illiteracy at an eighth gradereading level, which would include 2 -3 % of the U.S. Ironically, the recent increase in illiteracy coincides with anincreased demand for literacy among American employers. 2 ). Bydeveloping literacy skills, poor people have a better chance of obtainingdecent jobs. (1991, April 12). Instead of the academic approach taken in the past,it is suggested that teachers follow curricula which are directly relatedto the experiences of the students themselves. 1 8). 187). 14-16.----------------------- 1 As estimated by Jonathan Kozol, author ofIlliterate America, the United States is ranked as "49th among the 158nations in the United Nations in literacy level" (Collins, 199 , p. Gardner, H. 12. Because all students are different fromone another, it makes sense to encourage them by focusing in on theirspecific abilities and interests. Simply making jobs easier evades the issue that literacy is an importanttool for improving the lives of the poor and other underprivileged groupsin America. As a result of thismisplaced focus, it is argued that "the power of the printed word to evokeemotions and stimulate thought is lost" (Yellin & Koetting, 1991, p. 12). Both the Bush Administration and Congress have agreed to thegoal of having every American be literate by the year 2 (Collins, 199 ,p. Meaningfulness in literacy can beattained if it is made to relate to the common experiences which take placein the natural environment of the students outside school. 2 ). As noted earlier in thispaper, "the level of reading skill required to hold a job and surviveeconomically is rising rapidly" (Getting a read, 1988, p. USA Today 117:pp. 1 ). 11). According to Resnick,the schools represent only one type of literacy, a specialized type whichis suited to the academic world. The Institute would serve as a national center for the fightagainst illiteracy and it would "write national educational goals, developbetter teaching methods and tools and train teachers" (Collins, 199 , p.D2). 15). Daedalus 119: pp. This problemis important in American society today because of "the increasing demand oftoday's business world for literate employees" (X marks the spot, 199 , p.2 ). The complexities of the modern workplace requires employees to havereading and writing skills. 15). Such programs seek to incorporateliteracy skills into activities which are part of everyday experience. R. 14).Schools have failed to stimulate the interest of poor students, for whomreading has little or no apparent value. (1988, December). The poor have never placed great value onliteracy. It isshameful that illiteracy still exists on a large scale in the UnitedStates. Literacy asemancipation. Another reason whyliteracy is devalued in many American families today is because of the riseof the broadcast and computerized media in recent times. The threat that illiteracy may be undermining the nation'scompetitiveness is founded. 94). Resnick (199 ) has used this idea to support a literacy programwhich involves the community as well as the school. The government has proposed the idea of creating a NationalLiteracy Institute, to be supported by federal funds. One of thereasons for this is that illiterate parents are generally "unable toprepare their children to succeed in school" (Getting a read, 1988, p.187). The failure of the schools in terms of the poor can be seen in thehigh dropout rates which exist in the poverty stricken areas of the nation. 1 -11. (199 , Spring). Getting a read on literacy. The nation's poor, in particular, need enhanceddevelopment of literacy skills, because such skills are necessary for goodcommunication as well as being necessary for advancement within society. Because the schools and the society at large are failing with theliteracy problem in America today, the situation will probably have long-term effects which will be felt for many years to come. Studies have shown illiteracy to be more prominent among the povertystricken segments of American society. These programs often work because theyare geared more toward the life experiences of the students than toward theattainment of specific academic goals. The prevalence of illiteracy in the United States today canbe seen in the report of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee,which claimed: "23 million Americans are illiterate. Thus, as notedby Resnick (199 ), "what is called for are school activities in whichstudents have extensive reason to use written texts in the ways thatcharacterize out-of-school practical, informational, and pleasurableliteracy" (p. 2 ). The purpose of thisagency would be "to coordinate various federal literacy projects" (Fields,1991, p. Furthermore, even if they do geta job, such employers tend to "earn not much more than half the pay ofpeople with high-school diplomas" (X marks the spot, 199 , p. 2 . Forexample, the Foxfire program in rural Georgia teaches literacy to childrenby encouraging them to make tape recordings of stories and interviews; anda program designed by Nancie Atwell in Maine encourages students "to choosefor themselves what they will read and what they will write about" (Yellin& Koetting, 1991, p. The majority of America's illiterate population is to be found amonghigh school drop-outs. Many experts have argued that improving literacy will require a newapproach to teaching. In that way, the students can see that there is aneveryday value connected to literacy. The Education Digest 56: pp. (1991, March). There is already concern that Americais not keeping up with the other nations in terms of educational standards. The Economist 314: p. Another 45 millionadults read with only minimal comprehension" (Collins, 199 , p. However, Resnick argues that "the schoolsare not the only - or perhaps even the primary - source of literacycompetence" (p. However, it can be seen thatreading and writing actually do have great value for the American poor. Furthermore, it is shameful that it acts as a means for repressingits victims and keeping them trapped on the lower strata of society. 187). 1 ). (199 , August 26). Gardner (199 ) has claimed that suchindividualized training can result in increased literacy competence amongyoung students (p. 187. The difficulties of school: Probablecauses, possible cures. References Collins, C. It is therefore ironic thatliteracy is the very tool which is needed by America's poor in order forthem to seek social and economic advancement. 182). Thus, in order for young students to take an interest in reading andwriting, literacy must first be shown as being practical to their everydaylives. Poor people who do not overcome their illiteracy problems almostalways stay poor throughout their lives. Science News 134:p. This is seen as a threat to America's international security becauseexcellence in education is necessary for continued status as a leadingworld power. Therefore, thetechnological conveniences of modern times have made literacy less popularin the minds of many Americans. Thus, as reportedin USA Today, "the same factors that make people illiterate contribute tomany other problems such as poverty, poor housing, unemployment, and poorhealth" (Current programs, 1988, p. This approach can encouragethe development of student literacy because "skilled readers use an arrayof prior knowledge to comprehend what they read" (Getting a read, 1988, p.187). Furthermore, literacy is important to American workers of all classesbecause of the inherent value of expression which is contained in the artsof reading and writing. 12). 183). This fact has madeit difficult for many functional illiterates to find decent jobs. In this way, it can be seen that American businesses are as guilty asthe schools for perpetuating the illiteracy problem as it currently exists. X marks the spot. Yelling and Koetting (1991)have noted that traditional literacy training in schools focuses too muchon rules and tests and too little on the "view of writing as a tool for thecommunication of ideas and feelings" (p. In the words of Yellin and Koetting (1991), "we needto stress the student's active participation in the literacy-learningprocess" (p. Demographics show illiteracy to be highest among the nation's poor.Both rural and urban poor are susceptible to it. 2 measures provide ammunition in U.S.campaign against illiteracy. This is ironic, because literacy isnecessary in order for any underprivileged group to make advances insociety. B. (199 , spring). In the words ofGardner (199 ), "there is the rapid pace of the society epitomized bytelevision, video games, and interactive technologies; and there is as wellthe sense of instant access to the many life-styles, fashions, practices,and options available around the world" (p. Because of treatment such as this, illiteracy is perpetuated amongAmerica's poor children. Yellin, D., & Koetting, J. Differenteducators define functional illiteracy in different ways. However, even among Americans who have completedschooling, many are "functionally illiterate," which means that they areextremely limited in their reading and writing abilities. Functional illiteracy makes it difficult for people to functionproperly in society. Thus, Resnick suggests that schooleducational programs be geared more toward the "practical, informational,and pleasurable literacy activities" of students' everyday lives (p. Fields, H. For that reason, in order to attract poor students to literacy,it is important that reading and writing be made meaningful to their day-to-day experiences. Otherliteracy groups claim as many as 5 % of all Americans don't read wellenough to understand articles in Time or Newsweek (Current programs, 1988,p. 12). Literacy in school and out. This has been especially true among thepoor in society, because such people have traditionally seen little valuein literacy in the first place. 85-113. 187). However, students are not likely to be motivated towarddeveloping literacy skills if such skills are not perceived as havingrelation to their lives. Becauseof the difficulties they encounter in making a living, illiterates inAmerica "are more likely to resort to crime and tend to depend on welfare"(X marks the spot, 199 , p. 182).Other education experts have indicated that literacy can be improvedthrough individualized teaching. Current programs are inadequate. 11). Onthis point, Yellin and Koetting have claimed that literacy is capable ofserving as "an instrument for social change" as well as a tool for"emancipation" among the nation's poor (p. D2). Some commentators have further indicated that poverty, illiteracy, andother social problems are all related to similar causes. 94). In addition to the government's efforts at fighting illiteracy, therehave been many local groups which have developed programs for helping poorchildren learn to read and write. Congress hasresponded to this problem by developing major bills which are designed toprovide funding for the national coordination of literacy programs (Fields,1991, p. Having better jobs will, in turn, make life in general betterthan it was before. Schools tend to follow standardized teaching methods and are thusnot able to help children with specialized problems in literacy. D2). Publishers Weekly 238: p. Thisrefers to the ability of the United States to compete with the otherindustrialized nations of the world. By contrast,in lower class families, literacy is given less importance, and otherskills are emphasized. For example,illiteracy is having a profound impact on the way in which jobs are done inAmerica. Literacy enhances a person's ability to cope with the world,while opening up new opportunities that never existed before. Many experts agree that thehigh illiteracy rate in the United States is due to the failure of theschools. (199 , February 1 ). This is particularlytrue in the cases of "children of migrant workers" [and] families who livein remote rural areas or big inner cities" (Current programs, 1988, p. 14). 16). In order to help disadvantaged students become actively involved inreading and writing, teachers have an obligation to make literacy abilitymeaningful to them. Americanworkers need to maintain a high level of literacy in order for the UnitedStates to be able to maintain its competitiveness in the world marketplace. For most students, and particularly for poorstudents, the ability to read things outside the school is of more valuethan being able to do well on tests. In other cases, employers have simply tried to make the jobs easierfor their illiterate employees. Illiteracy tends to perpetuate itself, because children fromilliterate families tend to grow up to be illiterate themselves. Congress has also proposed legislation which would include on-the-jobliteracy training, adult education programs, and funding for "the EvenStart program, a program that involves parents and children at the sametime" (Fields, 1991, p. However, the rapid rise in illiteracy meansthat there are an increasing number of employable people who lack thoseessential skills. (1988, September 17). It may be noted that the schools in America have alsofailed in the way that students from the lower classes are treated. 169-185. If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.

Many of our Papers can be Downloaded From This Site!

PLEASE READ THIS, IT IS IMPORTANT!

Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm (PST). You may place orders for custom research over the phone during office hours. E-mail requests can be made to our graduate and undergraduate department any time, and will be reviewed during office hours. You may also contact customer service any time through e-mail, and we will review your message during business hours. A great many papers can be downloaded right from this site, but not all of them. If you would like to know if a particular paper is downloadable, just look in the description for: "Available for Internet Download: Y" or "Available for Internet Download: N" If you wish to purchase a paper which is NOT available for immediate download, you will need to make other shipping arrangements. Also, please be aware that these orders are processed Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm (PST). If you place your order after 4:45pm on Friday, it will not be processed until the following Monday morning. We charge $8 per page for all of our pre-written reports, plus shipping (and tax for California residents). However, the highest cost of any ONE report is $136, or 17 pages. Please, take a moment. Make sure you have chosen the report you want or need BEFORE you complete your order. If you are not sure, allow us to help you. We do not offer refunds or exchanges, so it is important for you to let us answer your questions during office hours. Reports which are e-mailed or downloaded are in Microsoft Word format. We are making more reports available for e-mail delivery faster than we can update our listings. Please call to check on the status of particular reports. There are many other shipping options which are listed on the Checkout page.