The Importance of Literacy: Some Background

The issue of literacy is relevant to our community because it is something that many people struggle with, especially those who are in areas of a lower socioeconomic status. Literacy is a subject that many are not proficient in, and that can severely limit their ability to understand others and to be understood by others either in writing, reading, or speaking. However, it is also something that is essential in the modern world, that is filled with writing and speaking at every corner. I see signs of it everywhere, including among schools, in the community at large, and even among my own family. There are numerous people in schools who are affected by not being literate enough to understand everything that is going on in their classes, and are unable to express their thought accurately in words or on paper. Additionally, I have been surrounded by numerous family members who have difficulty communicating in English and have had to aid them in reading certain documents or road signs. This issue impacts my community by making it difficult to communicate for a number of people in the community. It also closes a lot of doors for people as they are unable to be a part of their community and try to make a mark and impact on where they are. This can not only be harmful to them, but to the community at large because it will not allow them to contribute to it, but it will also prevent the community from hearing their contributions.

People who are affected include those who live in communities with a lower socioeconomic status, many minority groups, and also people who are immigrants from non-English speaking countries, and just people in general who do not speak English as a first language. They are affected because being unable to be completely literate in in reading, writing, and speaking severely limits them from being able to succeed in things like school. They are unable to let their opinions on topics be heard, and are unable to understand something because they are unable to comprehend the writing, even though they may know what is going on in their first language, which serves to pull them back.

This issue has become so important because of the current age that we are in today, especially in the San Fernando Valley. We are constantly surrounded by different forms of communication, such as social media, and are in such a diverse area with people from different backgrounds with a lot of immigrants or children of immigrants, so this is an issue that is very real to numerous people and that many people can relate to to some extent. Many people know somebody who has some sort of difficulty with literacy, and can realize where that may prove to be a challenge in their lives, and that something should be done about it. Some root causes are there not being enough emphasis on the importance of literacy in the community or in schools and there also being a lack of bilingual education, especially for those who do not have English as a first language. Since many people struggle with this literacy from a young age, and are unable to get help due to some reasons such as being in an underprivileged community that lacks the resources for practicing and improving literacy, such as a library. Additionally, it is also due to the lack programs that can help immigrants become accustomed to the English speaking community and to be able to improve their literacy in those areas.

Additional Background/ Statistics

According to this article: http://articles.latimes.com/2004/sep/09/local/me-literacy9:

53% of working-age L.A. residents have difficulty reading street signs/ bus schedules, filling out English job applications, or understanding a utility bill. (compared to 48% of national average).

Area literacy programs reach less than 600,000 adults (only 16% of county’s low literacy population.)

Adult literacy programs have a dropout rate of 50% or higher, but many do not focus on figuring out why that is the case.

L.A. has the highest rate of undereducated adults of any major U.S. urban area.

65% low literacy rates on Eastside, 84% in South Los Angeles.

Many residents with English literacy problems in Long Beach, Pomona, Glendale, and El Monte.

Educated immigrants who are yet to learn English, immigrants who are not literate in their native language, and English-speaking high school dropouts contribute to the area’s workforce problems.