March 20, 2007
Illiteracy Rate Part of a Bigger Picture
One of yesterday's major stories was the release of a new study indicating that about one-third of adults in Washington, D.C. are functionally illiterate. Wikipedia actually has a decent definition of functional illiteracy: "the inability of an individual to use reading, writing, and computational skills efficiently in everyday life situations." In other words, a person may be able to read somewhat, but nowhere near well enough to hold down a job. The reality of the District's functional illiteracy rate compares with a figure of about one-fifth nationally, and is, therefore, plainly grim.
We've heard a range of reactions to the news. Some readers have written to express their shock, others to shout about their continued frustration with the state of the District, and still others to share their initial reaction to the report as almost funny. And while obviously a literacy problem of this magnitude is no laughing matter, you can see how someone without much personal knowledge of D.C. as a whole could read some irony into the statistic: Overall, Washington remains one of the most highly educated cities in the nation, with 39 percent of adults holding a bachelor's degree.
Of course, the story behind such seemingly contradictory statistics is an old one, rooted in dramatic racial differences. We all already know that white households typically have incomes nearly twice that of black or Hispanic families in D.C., and that the vast majority of the college degree holders in this city are white. We can already guess that recent Central American and Ethiopian immigrants, who have yet to gain proficiency in English, are contributing to the illiteracy rate. And we can already recite the cliché about Washington being "two cities," separated by both race and economic class.
But just because we already know there are serious problems in the District doesn't mean we shouldn't rightfully be taken aback by this report, or deeply concerned about its larger implications. The State of Adult Literacy Report indicates local and federal money for literacy programs is being misallocated across D.C.'s wards and not reaching those who need help. Mayor Williams began a $4 million adult literacy campaign in 2003, which produced this report, and now Mayor Fenty will have to deal with the enormity of the problem, which must include overhauling how and in which wards literacy aid reaches the city's adults.
If we're committed to making this city work for people of all incomes and backgrounds, then it's imperative that we tackle our literacy problem. The D.C. Chamber of Commerce said up to $107 million is being lost in tax revenue each year because of a lack of qualified job applicants. All the other goals associated with ensuring there is any room at all for a middle class in the District -- redevelopment, affordable housing, smart growth -- none of it can possibly matter if we have to import workers from outside our borders. An illiterate adult population is an excellent way to ensure a permanent underclass in the District. This report should be a wake-up call.
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Let's not confuse the challenges for people learning English as a second language with functional illiteracy. Theoretically there could be some overlap, but these are not interchangeable concepts.
I was on the Red the other day and some kid came on the train and looked at the map for a couple of seconds, then asked if this train was going to Shady Grove. He was a being mean and a bit of jerk so the 3 people he asked told him to read the map. He kept asking until someone told him it was. I may be off base, but I'm pretty sure this kid could not read at all. He was around 16 or so. It made me a little sad.
This is an issue that the posters here can actually do something about by finding a literacy program and committing a couple of hours each week. When I first moved to DC I was involved in a youth literacy initiative via the Dept. of Education; it was something that helped me realize that I have something to give to the world besides smart ass comments, the skating out of work a couple of hours a week was just bonus.
Has DCist considered organizing some kind of literacy initiative? You have posters from all over the Metro area and a reasonably well established brand name.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that just how "functional illiteracy" works as a metric -- it doesn't necessary mean that that person is totally illiterate (they may well be able to read a number of languages competently), but their ability to function in this society, in which English is the predominant (although not official) language, is severely limited. Right? Or is there some other way to interpret it? And I'm not trying to use function in a pejorative way, but in the sense of, yes, if you can't read a map or a job application or whatever, you're not really functioning in this society.
I'm actually going to email the organization cited in the Post article, DC LEARNs, about volunteer opportunities. Their website is pretty short on information, so I'll post here whatever they write back for those who are also interested.
I say the city establish the Marion Barry Reading is Fun" program or something along those lines. Barry has a brand name that many people know and respect (well at least know). I think we could get Norton to push for some kind of federal support and perhaps start private funding drive as well.
The only requirement I would have is that the program be run outside of the D.C. government with an independent board. Kind of like a gov't corporation. I envision it sort of like an after school program.
I am dead serious and not making a joke out of this horrible news story.
I have a coworker whose son was diagnosed with dyslexia in second grade. Two years later, she's still fighting the DCPS administration trying to get them to pay for services to help this really sweet kid (who is actually *eager* to learn). They have fought her (and her son's teachers) every step of the way. It's been utterly enraging to witness, particularly since I'm sure that there are plenty of kids out there without knowledgeable, determined advocates in their corner.
tihs si trrebile nwes.
Chris Lee you are a jerk and you're not funny. A quick search of idealist.org's volunteer opportunities pulls up a lot of different choices. You can volunteer for a literacy group, a shelter that offers tutoring, you can be a bilingual tutor, etc. Does anyone know of any other volunteer opportunities?
I wonder what the breakdown is between functional illiteracy among those with English as a second language versus those who grew up speaking English. Of course being literate in a foreign language but not English versus being illiterate in all languages would have a different impact on someone's 'ability to function.'
I am not a jerk and I happen to be very fnnuy.
You are an uptight projective creep.
I was also distressed by the article, both as a long-time resident of DC, but also as someone who works for a literacy group based in DC -- First Book (firstbook.org). We are tackling illiteracy at its root by getting new books to children in low-income families. Kids living in or near poverty have little access to books of their own, compared to kids in more affluent homes. Over the past 15 years, First Book has distributed over 50 million new books to kids in need, with more than 180,000 books to kids in DC alone. We want to make reading a life-long habit, so that all kids can have the chance to succeed in life. Thanks for highlighting this important issue.
Chris, I thought your joke was clever. Some people don't understand the effectiveness of approaching problems with good humor intact. I notice, though, that your joke did give "how can I help" an opportunity to plug idealist.org.
Robis...There is actually a very funny chain email that mixes up letters to show how the brain reads wholistically, but obviously the tighta** who wrote that anonymous post didn't get the reference. I was waiting for someone like you to show that they were just being unneccessarily hostile and toxic.
Since many posters are expressing their willingness to volunteer, I will make my pitch!
I work for Literacy Volunteers of the National Capital Area. We are always looking for tutors to work one-on-one with adults who need help with reading and writing. Email bfrazell@lvanca.org!
"Of course, the story behind such seemingly contradictory statistics is an old one, rooted in dramatic racial differences. We all already know that white households typically have incomes nearly twice that of black or Hispanic families in D.C., and that the vast majority of the college degree holders in this city are white."
I am glad we've had all the good and noble
posters have their say but you know this thread ain't gonna get "fun" until SOMEONE brings up "ebonics"..>;) p.s. I already volunteer for a literacy project.
"To speak means to be in a position to use a certain syntax, to grasp the morphology of this or that language, but it means above all to assume a culture..."
To speak a language is to show your appreciation for the culture and manners of those people who created that language. The better one speaks a language, the more time and attention one has to put into learning it and developing a deeper level of intimacy with it. Pride in how well one speaks a language is an indication of how much one respects the people who created that language.
To speak is "to assume a culture." When a Black person speaks a white language, s/he assumes the culture, values, heritage and tradition represented by that language. That is a natural human occurrence. However, to assume a culture is not the same as being accepted or welcomed by that culture. Therein one finds a psychological footprint that hinders the mental well being of Black People.
Black People are disproportionately proud of how well they speak white languages, disproportionately proud! Yet, white culture is not receptive to Black People. If a white German speaks English (or some other white language), the English culture is open to him. If a Black person speaks English (or some other white language), s/he can bear the weight of that culture's sins, but s/he can not make entrance into that culture without encountering specific anti-Black barriers. Because the barriers are so serious, complete entrance is impossible.
Thus, hundreds of groups of Black People value a culture- languages- that is anti-Black. You cannot value that which is anti-You without undermining your psychological well-being. Anyone who observes a Black person who is disproportionately proud of how well s/he speaks a white language can see evidence of a ruptured self concept and blemished psyche." Frantz Fanon The focus here may be on speaking but it obviously extends to the written word. The Amish aren't rich, Jack Kerouac wasn't loaded, and lot's of Irish Authors didn't have a lot of money..so wealth isn't the issue it's the cultural predicament of Africans in European Civilization. It's the dilemma of "learning to speak Imperial English" or French or Spanish..the language of the culture that brutalized your forefathers. Ebonics is resistance..a problematic resistance to the standard language usage..both mastery in speech as well as reading.
Chris Lee, I don't really get how any of that relates to illiteracy. Someone can be perfectly literate and yet speak in a manner that belies that fact. Who are you to judge them for that?
I am trying to point out the broader and more COMMON phenomenon of resistance to "proper" language acquisition and usage. The article is not about those rare cases, it's about widespread lack of ability with both the written word and by extension the spoken word. We are not talking about highly articulate dislexics or even the mythical well spoken illiterate you are alluding to.
Want to make a difference in the literacy rates start with DC Learns program, the spring 2007 Early Readers Now Volunteer Fair, and find out how to get involved in this dynamic, city-wide early literacy program!
Who: D.C. LEARNs and Community Youth Services at
the D.C. Public Library
When: Thursday, March 22nd, from 6—7:30pm
Where: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library
901 G St. NW, Room 443
What: Early Readers Now is a one-on-one read aloud program designed for -3 and -4 year old children in the District of Columbia. Volunteer “Book Buddies” read to children at subsidized child care centers on a regular basis and develop relationships that better prepare the child for kindergarten and school success.
Mix and Mingle with District child care center representatives to discover a perfect volunteer site for you!
Stop by our interactive storytelling corner to watch and listen to librarians modeling read aloud strategies and best practices for engaging emergent readers!
Learn about Early Reading First Legislation
Hear from current Early Readers Now volunteers, and ask questions about their experiences!
Win free children’s books to share with your “book buddies” in our raffle!
Refreshments Served
Please RSVP to Jessica Young at 202-331-0141 ext. 23, or email jyoung@dclearns.org
I would think that the percentage of illiterate people in DC is way above 33%, and no I don't care.
I don't know who posted the above. but I am just inviting you to look at the way DC schoolkids interact with kids who CARE about learning. They are often taunted for acting or talking white.