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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
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Posted: Fri Dec 21 16:31:57 1984
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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