[AAACE-NLA] causes of low adult literacy Martha Jean

[Martha Jean]

Hello George,

In my Reading Theory Trainings I frequently say to participants that if
I could change one thing in our education system, that I believe would
make the greatest improvement, it would be that in college
teachers-to-be would learn one research based reading method...no
reinventing the wheel for every new teacher. For adult education that
translates into our teachers actually knowing how to teach reading. My
experience as a trainer shows that, like myself when I began in adult
education, wether you have a teaching degree or not, you probably don't
know how to teach reading so that every student ( with learning
difficulties or learning disabilities)can learn. No matter the cause of
illiteracy, you need a teacher who uses a proven reading method
(multi-sensory structured language approach) for students to become good
readers.

Yours,

Martha Jean
Trainer: Learning Disabilities
ABE 1 Teacher/ ABE-GED Counselor
Community Action Inc
Haverhill, MA 01830
 
-----Original Message-----
From: aaace-nla-bounces at lists.literacytent.org
[mailto:aaace-nla-bounces at lists.literacytent.org] On Behalf Of George
demetrion
Sent: Friday, May 26, 2006 12:23 PM
To: aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org
Subject: Re: [AAACE-NLA] causes of low adult literacy

Thank you Debbie,

I incorporated your points.

BTW, some may wonder whether this discussion is germane to this list or
whether imput should just be given off-line.  I'm receptive either way,
and with the feedback I'm receiving, both on and off line, am gaining
some solid information.

Either way is alright by me, though I think the topic has general
applicability.

George Demetrion


From: "Debbie Yoho" <dwyoho at earthlink.net>
Reply-To: dwyoho at earthlink.net,National Literacy Advocacy List sponsored
by AAACE<aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org>
To: "aaace-nla" <aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org>
Subject: Re: [AAACE-NLA] cuses of low adult literacy
Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 16:46:32 -0400

I think George Demetrion has left out at least one important cause of
adult low literacy:  failed educational policy, both currently and
historically.  
A.  Particularly with older adults, the legacy of segregation is still a
factor.  Many people don't realize that it wasn't until the early 1970s
that some districts integrated, including ours where I live,  followed
by years of turmoil and disruption.  B.  Many districts have still not
developed adequate alternative educational systems for high schoolers
who need a different structure.  C.  States like SC that have an exit
exam requirement have, in my opinion, added to the drop-out problem.
Teens who are already behind flunk the test, and even though there are
multiple chances to re-take it, the resulting discouragement often
causes them to give up.  (which is not to say that there aren't some
positives to an exit exam.)  The point is remediation strategies for
those who do fail are often ineffective or are 
just not even utilized.     D.  Programs that break the cycle of low 
literacy from one generation to the next are few and far between, and so
parents can't equip themselves to help their children.

I suspect others on this list could add to these examples of failed
policy that is or has been directly fueling the number of low literacy
adults.

"Turning Pages into Possibilities", Debbie

Deborah W. Yoho
Executive Director, Greater Columbia Literacy Council
2728 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205
803-765-2555 Fax 803-799-8417 dwyoho at earthlink.net

GCLC is a community service of Volunteers of America of the Carolinas.


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