Literacy has always been a problem for school systems throughout the United States. In the past, however, the impact was minimal compared to todays workplace, which requires an ever-higher level of literacy to achieve success.
Good reading skills are the foundation for students in any subject. You cannot learn mathematics or science without being able to understand the textbooks. Such skills also are demanded in the workplace. Able readers have a better chance to improve their lifestyle over that of their parents by obtaining well-paying jobs in career fields that would otherwise not be available to them. Literacy can make the difference between whether a child drops out of school or graduates from college. It truly is the foundation for a decent life.
Moreover, illiterate or nearly illiterate adults and families put a drain on the commonwealths resources. Businesses that cannot employ well-educated, literate workers move their enterprises to other states, where literacy levels for school students are higher; thus, giving businesses access to a larger employee base. Everyone feels the economic impact of a society with a low literacy level.
Currently in the...