Illiteracy in America: What To Do About It

Publication Date: February 1989

Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): Jeanne A. Allen

Research Area: Education

Keywords: Religion

Type: Report

Abstract:

Partnerships involving educators, businesses, and individuals can reverse the growth in illiteracy. But to be effective, these partnerships must focus attention on the basics in America’s schools. The problem of illiteracy will not go away until schools can graduate educated individuals. Illiteracy cannot be defeated if Americans expect businesses, colleges, and other institutions to do the job that should have been done in the schools. Thus although calls for more federal attention to a host of literacy-related problems among adults no doubt will spur interest in the issue, it could divert attention from the main need: forcing schools to handle their own illiteracy crisis.