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Grim Illiteracy Statistics Indicate Americans Have a Reading Problem

Education Portal

2007-10-07

Every year, at least 2 million functionally illiterate adults join the ranks of Americans who can't read. If this critical problem isn't addressed soon, society will most certainly pay the price.

Illiteracy Statistics

* 42 million American adults can't read; 50 million read at fourth or fifth grade levels.
* The total number of functionally illiterate adults increases by approximately 2.25 million persons every single year.
* 20 percent of all graduating high school students are functionally illiterate.

Source: National Right to Read Foundation

Where Illiteracy Leads

* 70 percent of prisoners in state and federal prisons are illiterate.
* 85 percent of juvenile offenders are classified as functionally or marginally illiterate.
* 43 percent of the people with the lowest literacy skills live in poverty.

Source: National Institute for Literacy

America's Reading Problem

America is supposed to be one of the most affluent and technologically advanced societies in the world. Free public education is available in every nook and cranny of this country, and the federal government spends an estimated $10 billion every year battling illiteracy.

So why do Americans have such a huge problem with reading?

According to some, the root of the problem lies in our public education system. National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) testing indicates the percentage of American children who read well has not improved for the last 25 years.

Many people argue that the reason for this is lack of public education funds. But this doesn't seem right, as public education spending has doubled in the last 15 years.

This only leaves one other argument: there is something fundamentally wrong with the instruction that American children receive.

Author Rudolf Flesch addresses this issue in a classic book on phonics called Why Johnny Can't Read. According to Flesch, 'the teaching of reading -- all over the United States, in all the schools, in all the textbooks -- is totally wrong and flies in the face of all logic and common sense'.

Fleach, however, does not blame the teachers, or the schools, but rather the method of teaching that has been used since 1927. This 'look and say' method relies on memorization and recognizing words on sight.

In 1930, a 'basal reading' series, which incorporates the method described above, was released. The books used by American children today in learning to read are essentially the same books that were used in the 30s.

This is extremely unusual given the fact that hundreds of studies have shown the phonics method consistently provides better results. Phonics teaches the relationship between letters and sounds first, and concentrates on reading later-the exact opposite of the look and say approach.

The U.S. Department of Education currently recommends the phonics approach, yet there are many American schools, teachers, and colleges who teach teachers that are unwilling to accept this recommendation.

If your child or a child you know is about to enter an American school, talk to the teacher to find out which method is being used and how you can supplement the reading education students receive in class at home.

You can also learn more about how you can join the fight against illiteracy on this site and through various organizations, such as the National Right to Read Foundation and National Institute for Literacy.

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