Adult Literacy

Photo by Chris Johnson

Adult literacy is defined as: Using printed and written information to function in society, to achieve one’s goals, and to develop knowledge and potential. (Literacy in Everyday Life: Results from the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy). However, compared to higher incomes with diplomas and those without, one can think the performance rate is basic at best without diplomas.

The US Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences Statistics from 1992-2003 show a wide disparity of scores among Asian/Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, Black, and Whites in adult literacy skills. I can actually understand the language issues with non-English speaking people but why do the Blacks and Whites have the problem with literacy?

The National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) gave tests that showed an estimate that 14% of our nation’s residents have reading and writing problems. Those that can read have comprehension issues. What’s worse, they are considered illiterate! About 1 in 7 can’t read this blog. How can you fill out any forms if you can’t read or understand them? Now wonder there is such a high unemployment rate among minorities. That coupled with government subsidies doesn’t make things any better. One must be committed and willing to improve their conditions. At the same time, there should be a level playing field, too! These same handouts that are making some folks complacent are also turning their heads from undercover racist actions designed to keep them down.

I don’t have an answer for this. We all can make an effort to keep our children in school and help those that are not able. But, do we want to take the time? Our drop out rate among Blacks in 2008 was 9.9%, 8.7% among males, 11.1% among females. These numbers represent 16-24 year olds who are not enrolled in school and did not earn a high school credential (GED or diploma). The total dropout rate for all Races/Ethnicities was 8%.

“This is a problem we can’t afford to accept or ignore,” President Obama said. “The stakes are too high – for our children, for our economy, for our country. It’s time for all of us to come together – parents and students, principals and teachers, business leaders and elected officials – to end America’s dropout crisis.”

“It is time for all of us, no matter what our backgrounds, to come together and solve this epidemic. Stemming the tide of dropouts will require turning around our low-performing schools. Just 2,000 high schools in cities like Detroit, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia produce over 50% of America’s dropouts… Let us all make turning around our schools our collective responsibility as Americans.” President Barack Obama

It’s good that our President supports this cause but what about us? What can we do?