Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site ssc-vax.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!whuxlm!whuxl!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!eder From: eder@ssc-vax.UUCP (Dani Eder) Newsgroups: net.kids,net.politics Subject: Re: Illiterates Message-ID: <292@ssc-vax.UUCP> Date: Fri, 21-Dec-84 16:31:57 EST Article-I.D.: ssc-vax.292 Posted: Fri Dec 21 16:31:57 1984 Date-Received: Sun, 23-Dec-84 01:08:15 EST References: <3129@alice.UUCP><1860@burdvax.UUCP> <2651@ihldt.UUCP> Organization: Boeing Aerospace Co., Seattle, WA Lines: 21 Xref: watmath net.kids:802 net.politics:6446 > - an estimated 67 million adults in the US are functionally illiterate. > [i.e. cannot read and write well enough to get through everyday life. > This means they cannot read a newspaper or the signs identifying the > express checkout at the grocery store.] > > - The ranks of the illiterate are growing at about 2.25 million > annually. > Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1978 Edition, p.145 "Percent Illiterate of Population" age 14-15 or more. Persons unable to both read and write in any language are classified as illiterate. [poster's note: perhaps the discussion is really how many people cannot read and write ENGLISH.] Year % Illiterate 1900 11.3 1920 6.5 1930 4.8 1950 3.3 1960 2.4 1970 1.2