50 million americans, unable to read and write !

 The National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), and the National institute for literacy USA say Every year, at least two million adults considered to be functionally illiterate swell the ranks of Americans unable to read. 42 million American adults can’t read at all; 50 million are unable to read at a higher level that is expected of a fourth or fifth grader. 

Illiteracy Statistics: 42 million American adults can’t read at all; 50 million are unable to read at a higher level that is expected of a fourth or fifth grader.The number of adults that are classified as functionally illiterate increases by about 2.25 million each year.20 percent of high school seniors can be classified as being functionally illiterate at the time they graduate

Source: National Right to Read Foundation USA

Where Illiteracy Leads
70 percent of prisoners in state and federal systems can be classified as illiterate.
85 percent of all juvenile offenders rate as functionally or marginally illiterate.
43 percent of those whose literacy skills are lowest live in poverty.
Source: National Institute for Literacy USA

America’s Reading Problem
America is supposed to be one of the world’s most affluent and technologically-advanced societies. Free public education is available everywhere in this country, and the federal government spends about $10 billion every year on literacy education.

So why do Americans have this problem with reading?

According to some, the root of this problem lies with our public education system. National Assessment of Educational Progress testing indicates that the percentage of American children who are able to read well hasn’t improved at all in the last 25 years.

Many people argue that the reason behind this failure to improve is a lack of public education funding. 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 book on phonics called Why Johnny Can’t Read. According to Flesch, ‘the teaching of reading all over the United States–in all of the schools and in all of the textbooks–is totally wrong, and flies in the face of all logic and common sense’.

Fleach, however, does not blame the schools or even the teachers, but instead blames the method of teaching that has been in use since 1927. This ‘look and say’ method relies on memorizing and recognizing words on sight.

In 1930, a ‘basal reading’ series, which incorporates the above method, was released. The books used by American children today for learning to read are basically the same books that were used in the 1930s.

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

Here some Illiteracy Statistics about UK

Almost half (43%) of all 11-year olds cannot read and write and add up properly when they leave primary school.
55,000 pupils miss school without permission each day
Nearly 50,000 crimes are committed in London each year by truanting children

70,000 school age offenders enter the youth justice system, costing the UK £1bn a year
73% of young offenders describe their education as nil

60% of offenders in prison are functionally illiterate and innumerate
Almost a fifth of young people (16-24 year olds) in England, Scotland and Wales are not in education, training or employment. They are described as NEETS.

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