J.K. Kim
76100g Argument
Sauer
August 8, 1997Adult Illiteracy in America
There is an urgent need in America to be able to communicate effectively and efficiently. In addition, the ability to read and write is one of the chief communication methods in this country. Certainly, these statements have been supported by the various statistics and reports of many people study and research about illiteracy. For example, David Harman, the author of "Functional Illiteracy in the United States: Issues, Experiences, and Dilemmas" states Functional literacy permits "people to broaden their social and cultural horizons and participate more fully in the wider context of American life." (Harman 1) In a complex and industrialized society like American society which puts a great importance on literacy, it is apparent that adult illiterates must be taught properly to read and write effectively. Therefore, they may function successfully in society.
It is very unfortunate that more than one third of adult illiterates in America, however the many methods of teaching adults the literacy do not work very effectively. Jonathan Kozol, the author of Illiterate America argues that many adult literacy programs exit, but due to the programs’ "inconvenient scheduling of classes, physical distance causing transportation problems, change of address." (Kozol 28) Further Kozol states "60 million people" are illiterate. If one is to consider the importance of the ability to write and read to function effectively in society, these adult illiterates are suffering from various problems there are facing. To illustrate, one illiterate man has been lost in a freeway, then he calls the police for help. Police then asks the man to identify the location, however the man can only answer "ONE WAY STREET," because the man is an illiterate. Without the location where he is at, the police cannot help the poor man and the man is abandoned.
Please keep in mind that many people in society recognize the problem mentioned above even though the problem is not solved. Indeed, there exists experts regarding adult illiteracy. These experts see the problems for the adult illiteracy lying in areas as diverse and broad as lack of government’s help to problems with methods used to teach literacy to adult illiterates. They also see solutions to the problem ranging from supporting community literacy programs to well-supported national literacy programs. It is no doubt that the dilemma brings such a concern. Furthermore, all the experts and writers on adult illiteracy have different solutions and perceptions regarding adult illiteracy.
Obviously, there are many people with different ideas who have developed both the reasons and the proposals to resolve the problem regarding adult illiteracy that not a single agreeing solution can be arrived at. The kind of solution the American society has is like a chorus of quarreling and clashing answers that create problems for policy makers and organizers of adult literacy programs. This is ludicrous. There are many experts on adult illiteracy, however none of them seem to agree on one solution.
It is crucial to explain why there are countless ideas regarding adult illiteracy. Some authors publish the results of their research. Some authors simply publish papers just to publish. Some authors publish so that they can contradict and contrast what they see as a wrong and invalid idea. Some authors even publish in order to make a living. These authors do not particularly have concerns about whether their paper contributes anything to the community. The papers that are not published for any great reasons, usually cause more harm than good. Papers like these add very minimal or nothing to the community and they create rather unpleasant confusion. These papers only waste people’s time and efforts.
It is not unusual for authors to come across ideas that are different from theirs. This also causes a great problem. This is what causes an author to contribute a work to adult illiteracy or any area in order to contradict the view taken by another author purposely. It is feasible that, one may believe that contradiction among authors is beneficial. Some people say that contradictions among authors easily exhibit the weaknesses and shortcomings of each author's perspectives. The contradictions may also present many readers with new and insightful thoughts on adult illiteracy, since they have seen both arguments. Nevertheless, all these contradictions only bring more and more of disagreements among people and deviate from the solution.
It simply will not allow multiple conflicting views held by a group of people to arrive at one solution. To illustrate, Jan Ooijens argue that a national effort is needed to improve government’s official program, ABE (Adult Basic Education). Ooijens alleges that national programs such as ABE and U.S. military’s program of remediation for its own recruits are "truly ineffective." (Ooijens 450) Two efforts barely reach about 2 million people annually. Moreover, so far those programs have not been effective in the field. (Ooijens 452-453) Therefore, he argues America needs national programs that are able to reach many and bring positive results.
Whereas, Cess Doets may argue that since ABE is not effective in teaching illiterate adults and community programs seem rather effective; Doets advocates a better and improved community programs to be more effective in communities. Doets argue that communities have been very effective lately. (Doets 320) Those community literacy programs can reach more illiterates and have brought positive results. For example, many illiterates have been able to get jobs after the literacy education. (Doets 323)
Apparently, both authors see the problem in same way. They all agree that a help is needed desperately. Nevertheless, they have different conflicting solutions. In addition, one can see the same results for James Johnson, the author of "Adults in Crisis: Illiteracy in America," and Janet McGrail, the author of "Adult Illiterates and Adult Literacy Programs: A Summary of Descriptive Data."
Johnson argues that a broad and flexible definition of literacy, an expanded community-oriented efforts, improved coordination and communication, staff development for literacy educators, more full-time professionals, continued research, and increased Federal supports are fundamental in fighting against adult illiteracy. McGrail, on the other hand, advocates volunteer, military, business, and industry, and college and university programs that teach adult illiterates the literacy. One can clearly see the disagreement between these two authors.
Finally, the reason that authors publish papers is because of research or data. These papers stand for the data, statistics, report of these that authors release so they can inform the communities with newly found interesting results or discoveries they have found. Majority of these authors have research, written, and released the information to hope that other authors or experts find it useful in coping with adult illiteracy.
Although, research may be needed to arrive at a solution, too many results causes problems, especially contradicting results. For instance, the contradicting can be easily seen reports from the U.S. Department of Education(1983) and Hunter and Harman’s. The U.S. Department of Education states that "23 million American adults are totally or functionally illiterate." However Hunter and Harman’s report shows that a figure in excess of "60 million is a realistic estimate [of adult illiterates] for 1984." (Kozol 4-5)
Now I would like to propose my idea in fighting against adult illiteracy. I believe that we need to more help and support from the Federal Government. We need more money to purchase adequate reading materials, improved adult literacy centers, and definitely more teaching staff. I also feel that adult literacy centers certainly should be in convenient locations for adult illiterates. The adult literacy centers should provide the illiterates with adequate supplies and teaching. I feel forty to one students to faculty rate would be reasonable. We need baby-sitters to attend the illiterates' babies. Most of the illiterates are poor and cannot afford baby-sitters in most cases. I feel that we need to be effective in recruiting. We need to reach everyone in the communities.
I am very aware that my program requires a large amount of money and resource. However, I feel that it will be very effective in solving adult illiteracy problems in America. I feel that it is the only way to eliminate what may be a permanent problem in America. Once this policy is in effect, I am confident that there will be almost no adult illiterates in America.
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