1 in 7 U.S. adults illiterate?

[berkeley]

I think you older folk don't want to admit or you are completely oblivious...
The education system in this nation has been flushed down the "john".

[Esther]

Some idiot came up with the idea that it would be offensive to Johnny's self esteem to fail him for not making the grade. Johnny never learned to read. Johnny was embarrassed. Now Johnny can't get a job. He can't read. But we don't want to offend him.

We shouldn't make Jose' learn to speak, read and write English. He should be able to speak whatever language he wants. He can't pass the test. He can't get a job requiring him to fill out an application.

Both Johnny and Jose' have labor jobs with low pay. Live beneath what they could have...but we don't want to offend anyone.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Esther

Some idiot came up with the idea that it would be offensive to Johnny's self esteem to fail him for not making the grade. Johnny never learned to read. Johnny was embarrassed. Now Johnny can't get a job. He can't read. But we don't want to offend him.

We shouldn't make Jose' learn to speak, read and write English. He should be able to speak whatever language he wants. He can't pass the test. He can't get a job requiring him to fill out an application.

Both Johnny and Jose' have labor jobs with low pay. Live beneath what they could have...but we don't want to offend anyone.

And we also want cheap labor!

[BrotherEastman]

Originally Posted by tstew

I'm not exactly sure that the bulk of illegal immigrants would be in a position to even register in this study.

Neither myself, nor Pel said anything about ILLEGAL immigrants, although I am certain that they make up a good portion of the illiterate population. Not all immigrants are ILLEGAL.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by tstew

I just read a study on AOL that 1 in 7 U.S. adult is illiterate. Is it just me or is that a staggeringly high number? I'm afraid to even go and see how that compares to other nations. How is that even possible?

The school system, due to inclusion, allows many people to have [not earn] passing grades so as not to incur wrath from parents, lawsuits from parent's who's children should be in special classes, and because teachers are paid low wages for poor working conditions and unreasonable expectations.

[tstew]

Originally Posted by BrotherEastman

Neither myself, nor Pel said anything about ILLEGAL immigrants, although I am certain that they make up a good portion of the illiterate population. Not all immigrants are ILLEGAL.

I realize that not all immigrants are illegal. I guess I just assumed since in order to become a legal, naturalized citizen there are basic English reading requirements.
In all fairness, I should also point out that simply not being able to read English does not make one illiterate anyway. I would hope that anyone worth their salt who was conducting such a study would not consider someone who could fluently read in another language an illiterate U.S. adult.