Literacy is key to students understanding and achievement in the classroom. It is not only the basic tool to be successful in school, but also in the work force. Yet it is being mistaken that reading, writing, speaking, and thinking skills developed in elementary school and middle school are enough to carry the students through high school and beyond. The effect being seen from poor literacy is plummeting test scores, high drop out rates, and students unprepared for higher education and the work force. According to the data collected by the OECD, (Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development), in 1998, 49.6% of adults in the U.S. were at a low literacy rate. The Alliance for Excellent Education estimates that 8 million students in middle school and high school read below grade level (Joftus, 2002). A study released February of last year by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) shows the decline of reading scores of 12th graders in the U.S. Between the years of 1992 and 2005, reading scores have decreased six percentage points landing the literacy rate among high school seniors at a low thirty five percent. With the percentages the way that they are, it is becoming more apparent the urgent need to incorporate reading instruction into classrooms at the secondary level.
Joftus, S. (2002) Every child a graduate: A framework for an excellent education for all middle and high school students. Washington, DC: Alliance for Excellent Education.
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6 comments:
The high drop out rates are alarming. this fast moving world will run over a drop out.
Wow shocking statistics! If people are lacking literacy I wonder what else they are lacking? It is such a conerstone to build on in life.
Sadly enough this is not a suprize to me! many people lack these skills which is very evident in daily life. What alarms me is why nothing is stil done about it.
Understanding what your reading and thinking about it critically is basic to all classes. The more people are aware of this the better they would do to keep their literary skills up.
Sad to know that this really is true! Reading is the most important thing, it is really hard to get ANY WHERE if you can't read!
It is becoming more apparent that it is harder to do anything in this world without good education. With the recent statistics shown on literacy, it is almost showing a frightening future for our society. More focus is deffinatly needed on this matter.
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