Literacy
...est problem of all is apathy on the part of the public. 1. Many people have the attitude of, “I can read so what’s the problem.” 2. People are uneducated that this is a problem for all of us and impacts us in so many ways that many don’t realize or appreciate. 3. According to the Literacy and Reading Promotion Campaign, new parents are often unaware that the development of early literacy skills through early experiences with books is critically linked to a child’s success in learning to read. *2 B. The second major problem is the fact most illiterates can only read just enough to get by 1. Illiterates are often so embarrassed they tend to not seek help. 2. When you can’t read, you can always have someone else do it for you. C. The third major factor is the way a school handles grade advancement. 1. Schools often promote students to the next grade regardless of their academic progress. *3 2. In some schools, a child will be advanced in an attempt to save his/her self-esteem. Transition: But while these are the major contributing factors to our high rate of illiteracy the fact is these problems are causing other problems. Let’s take a look at the fallout from all of this. II. There are significant negative impacts illiteracy has on society A. The number one impact is the enormity of the problem. 1. According to an article on the World Socialist website, close to 100 million Americans have limited reading and writing skills. *4 2. Many people are embarrassed to the point that one will not seek help. 3. People will be deceitful and try to hide the fact they cannot read. B. The second biggest impact from this is the higher rate of social ills. 1. The National Adult Literacy Survey shows that adults with the lowest level of reading skills were far more likely to receive food stamps. *5 2. People who cannot read and write are likely to drop out of school. 3. The US Department of Education statistics reveal that 60% of prison inmates are illiterate and 85% of all juvenile offenders have reading problems. *6 C. The last impact is productivity in the workplace 1. There is a higher rate of unemployment associated with the inability to read. 2. According to the Adult Literacy Service, 60% of the unemployed lack the basic skills necessary to be trained for high tech jobs. *7 3. People with remedial reading skills are less likely to receive job promotions. 4. The Ohio Literacy Resource Center states that limited literacy skills cost businesses and taxpayers’ $20 billion in lost wages and profits annually. *8 Transition: But despite all of this I think there are some answers. I think there are some things we can do. III. There are steps that can be taken to come up with a resolution to illiteracy A. This starts with better educating the public. 1. In terms of how sever the problem really is. 2. How it is impacting us with respect to soci...