By: Claudia Arevalo-Lowe

English 103 - Essay # 1 "Third Revision"

Professor: Ed O'Connell

Summer 1998 - Session 2

We are the lucky ones. We live in the most powerful country in the world. Most own a television set; a vast majority has a radio and an ever-increasing number own and operates a computer. Despite all the wealth and power we find here, at home, the general consensus among Americans is that the United States is the host of many illnesses of which Illiteracy is one of the fastest growing, and one of the most damaging ones. Even though there is a Literacy Campaign in place, and President Clinton has declared that illiteracy needs to be eradicated by the year 2000, the problem is by far solved. However, it is unfair to only measure the consequences of illiteracy without presenting solutions for a better education. Education is the solvent for the illiteracy problem, not only for the adults but for the children as well.

Taken literally from the dictionary, illiteracy has two definitions: 1. The quality or state of being illiterate; esp.: inability to read or write 2. A mistake or crudity (as in speaking) typical of one who is illiterate. Even though these are two simple definitions, they are very different from the definition given by the National Adult Literacy Survey. “Using printed and written information to function in society, to achieve one’s goals, and to develop one’s knowledge and potential.”

Taking into account the above definitions, an observation has to be made: The results of the studies on the subject are based on the National Adult Literacy Survey’s definition, and partially on definition two of the dictionary; completely omitting definition number one of the dictionary. There are many different ways to separate the degree of illiteracy (or the functionally illiterate) from one person to another. Several examples of people who fall under these different definitions are the individuals who are born in the U.S.; the ones who have come to the U.S. as adults and are fluent in their own language; and the ones who are from other parts of the world and are illiterate in their own language.

The latter group has not been taken into consideration while conducting the studies. They have been omitted mainly because they have chosen not to participate due to their legal status in the U.S. If they were taken into account the final numbers would be higher and the degree of illiteracy more poignant.

Several resources have gone to fighting drugs and crime. When taking a closer look at the issues of drugs and crime, it can be seen that they are very closed related to illiteracy. Year by year, the number of individuals who do not know how to read and write, or who are partially able to accomplish these simple tasks, increases by leaps and bounds, endangering the future of the U.S. In a short time this problem will have “snowball” consequences directly affecting the future of our children and future generations.

Furthermore, the majority of Americans, despite their background, do not see themselves as part of the problem. They view themselves as being well prepared to manage their lives and their jobs with no assistance, even though as per the Adult Literacy Survey they qualify as partially illiterate.

In 1993, the U. S. Department of Education conducted The National Adult Literacy Survey (ALS) with astonishing results. The survey shows that 23% (or 40-44 million) adults were at the lowest of the five levels used to determine literacy among the people of this nation; 25%-28% (or 50 million) adults were at the second lowest level. They had a very small repertoire. What this report shows is that there are 90 million people who are functionally illiterate. A person who is functionally illiterate is the person who can perform only basic tasks, such as writing their names and addresses but are not capable of performing tasks requiring a more precise type of skills such as following directions, directing communications, and reading schedules.

The Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) an analytical arm of U.S. Congress, stated in a 1993 report about functional illiteracy: “Standards and requirements for literacy have increased… OTA finds that at least 35 million adults have difficulty with common literacy tasks". The report further states that "although many of these adults can read at rudimentary levels, they need higher levels of literacy...Fewer than 10% of the population in need is being reached." As per this report, approximately 90% are being left adrift to fend for themselves and to make the best out of their circumstances, which by the way, leaves them hanging from a very thin thread.

The Department of Labor conducted their own study coming up with equally alarming facts. Illiteracy in 1996 is considered to have cost approximately $225 billion per year in lost productivity to business and to the nation. This includes illnesses, tardiness, mistakes, and other host of illnesses, which comprise some of the symptoms of the functional illiterate.

Even though these numbers are very high, a special note has to be made pointing to the hardships a female goes through at work when not properly prepared for the work force. Not only does she endures the treatment of being considered a minority, her salary is already lower than her male counterpart, but she also has to be prepared with proper education. This situation makes her survival tougher than her male counterpart's. Further, in tasks requiring extreme physical effort, men's larger size can be used to mask lack of education while the female's physical size precludes her from participating at the same level.

Even though a small increase in literacy is noted, the obvious fact is that the statistics measure a nationwide problem. These numbers reflect that small strides have been made every day in order to educate the nation. None of these reports account for the number of children who are currently in school and fall under the category. Regardless to the reason, some of these children suffer greatly as a consequence of their environments. The numbers from the Laubach Network report corroborate the reports from the U. S. Department of Education and the Labor Department and give a sad glimpse into the condition of education in America.

The influx of people into the United States is greater than 35,920 nationwide, per year. These numbers translate to a very minimal fraction of people emigrating from other countries who are learning the language of their new place, and for this reason alone they fall under the illiteracy category. For those immigrants who are currently residing in the U.S., fear is a factor in their not taking advantage of and participating in any of the ESL programs currently offered. It is impossible for these individuals to provide proper guidance to their children as they, as parents, do not know (or do not care) that they are illiterate.

The State recognizes that successful individual education starts at a very young age, and not when the individual is an adult. Therefore, special programs such as Arts’ classes are encouraged by the School Board and several schools are taking advantage of the grants being offered to them. Los Angeles is one of the most prolific states where arts are a part of every day life and are appreciated. By approving $2.45 million in seed money, the Los Angeles School Board hopes to improve the education in the state. In contrast to the positive impact of the reinstatement of art classes in Los Angeles, the School Board has to contend with the lack of care some of its’ schools have shown towards education and the future of the State. It has to justify and accept its shortcomings in educational programs, adding to the list the uncomfortable position of being exposed as uncaring towards its students as bilingual education has become a double edge tool for the taxpayers in California.

It can honestly be said that education is a “roller-coaster ride” in the State. In one school lack of care towards the students can be seen at the same time that in another school we find a small rise in the children's academic development. This comes in the way of increased academic abilities of the school students, even though it is not up to the nation’s standards. To farther the contrast, opposites can be found within the same ratio of information. It can be observed that a disabled person can finish school with good accomplishments and the hope of a bright future while a group of students protest Proposition 227 instead of concentrating on their education and their future. Bilingual education exists in very few States, (California, Miami and Texas). The rest of the Nation conducts classes only in English. These situations bring to the table of discussion the question “What is The Real Why of a Failing Education System?” After all “bickering” is almost completed, the real why is still up in the air or up in smoke.

Most of us look up to the Government and demand that they do something about it (and they have). States have implemented programs that deal with these issues and sometimes (in the case of illiteracy programs) rely on volunteers. These volunteers take time out of their busy lives and schedules to contribute not only to these programs, but also in making their State a better place to live by providing individuals with the basic tools needed for the attainment of a better life.

There are other ways to solve the problems. If the system has failed an individual, what can an adult do to better his/her life? “Educate themselves” by becoming part of special programs to develop more skills. Once these solid skills have been acquired, another method of assistance for minorities is Affirmative Action. Some businesses have utilized Affirmative Action with great results that reflect a step up in the business task force not only for the companies but for the individuals as well. Most of the time, in the presence of education, gender and native soil or heritage become mild obstacles an individual will easily overcome as a result of their ability to perform at a competitive level. The better educated a person is, the easier it is for the person to base employment on merit alone and without the stigma attached to their native origin.

Even though private education is not a sure way to ensure success in life, it is a better choice for those who can afford it. Parent intervention, once again, is very important. It has to be kept in mind that parent help is always a must regardless of the school's being public or private. Without parents' guidance the child's education becomes a problem and not a solution. These results can be devastating for the child and the future as the responsibility is placed on the schools. Parents who can afford private schooling for their children are economically better off than those who can’t afford the same type of schooling are. Even though a private school is not a complete solution for educational problems, for the children, academic matters are easier. In order to help these parents, “a bill giving tax breaks to parents who send their children to private schools cleared the Senate..." As it stands, the bill faces veto from Pres. Clinton and the House is proposing the implementation of Pres. Clinton's plan of $1.5 billion for Public Schools to be taken into account, to be passed and implemented in order to improve education.

For now, we have to relay on volunteer programs to overcome the hurdle that illiteracy presents. Tutoring is an activity that can be found in every school, and college throughout the State. The Public Libraries also render this service to no cost for those who need to learn basic skills in life. Our own college provides us, as students, with a tutoring center wherein we can find the help we need in becoming more literate and more able to function in the world.

The demand for better-educated and better-trained people is uprising. People who see this demand are spending most of their resources and time helping individuals to achieve the levels needed for a better survival in the work environment and life.

The real why of a failing education system is very simple: "We all pass the buck". It is time to start taking action and ensure that our community and our State will continue improving. It is up to us to end illiteracy and raise the level of education we, and our children, currently have. At the moment, these issues have been left in the hands of a select few that have taken responsibility for our own futures. The numbers of illiterate individuals will start diminishing when educated people contribute to the eradication of illiteracy.