The Silent Crisis

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No child chooses low literacy, yet many are saddled with its disadvantages before they even enter kindergarten. Often raised by parents with limited literacy, these children slip through the cracks of our school system and join the millions whose lack of literacy excludes them from the most basic opportunities we take for granted. For example, people reading below an 8th grade level are barred from vocational programs under the stimulus act and may never be able to get the training they need.

We support the right to literacy because we believe that no one should be denied the fundamental skills necessary for success in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. By joining our Facebook group, you can add your voice to our message for the president: Literacy is vital for individual success and national success, and as such it deserves to be a high priority on the presidents agenda.

Copyright Literacy Powerline, 2009

Narrated by Craig Jorczak
Edited by Chris Johnson

Statistics courtesy of the National Center for Education Statistics (2009), ProLiteracy (2005), and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Statistics (2004).
Police car footage courtesy of Gordon McDowell.
Photo of ER room courtesy of Jacob Windham.
Map courtesy of the U.S. Census.
Unemployment photo courtesy of Marvin Nauman/FEMA.
Unemployment line photo courtesy of Michael Raphael/FEMA.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• literacy
• illiteracy
• low literacy
• reading
• education
• adult education