The Benefits of Ending America's 'Dirty Little Secret': Widespread Illiteracy

The extent of functional illiteracy is much worse than most people realize--the most extensive and accurate study of illiteracy ever commissioned by the U.S. government proves that more than 47% of U.S. adults cannot read and write well enough to hold an above-poverty-level job, alleviated only because more than one adult is employed in most families. Also, the seriousness of illiteracy is much worse than most people realize--it not only causes serious problems and suffering for the illiterates, it also costs each of us who can read at least $3700 each year for government programs that illiterates use, for the increased cost of consumer goods due to illiterates in the workplace, and for truancy/juvenile delinquency/crime related to illiteracy. But the good news is that a breakthrough solution has been developed that is much easier than anyone would dare to dream.

(PRWEB) September 29, 2005 -- The most extensive and statistically accurate study of U.S. adult illiteracy ever done--a $14 million, five-year study involving lengthy interviews of 26,700 adults--proves that more than 92 million adults (over 47% of them) cannot read and write well enough to hold an above-poverty-level-wage job and that more than 40% of U.S. employees are functionally illiterate--they can read a few simple words but not well enough to function effectively in today's complex society. Less than 47% of families are in poverty only because more than one adult is employed in most families. There was brief media coverage when the report was released, but illiteracy has been largely ignored by the media and the public since then.

The good news is that the solution to the illiteracy problem is far easier than anyone would dare to dream.

How will English-speaking people benefit by ending our literacy crisis?

- They will benefit if they are concerned that a friend, relative, or associate is--or after leaving school will be--functionally illiterate. The financial, emotional, and physical problems and suffering of illiterates are much worse than most people realize. Many people are--unknown to most of the public--functionally illiterate.

- They will benefit if they object to paying at least $3700 each year as a result of illiteracy. This results from (1) government programs illiterates use, (2) higher prices resulting from the costs of recruiting, training employees in the basics they didn't learn in school, and preventing and correcting the mistakes and inabilities of illiterates in the workplace, and (3) the resultant costs of truancy, juvenile delinquency, and crime.

- They will benefit if they have financial interest in a business or organization. Illiteracy in the workplace hurts all businesses and organizations to some extent--including their employer's--especially if the business or organization prepares or sells written material (since so few U.S. adults read) or the business or organization must compete with more literate foreign workers. The February 2005 U.S. trade deficit was $61 billion, worse than any previous month.

- They will benefit if they feel compassion for hundreds of millions of English-speaking people worldwide who desperately want to learn to read English. For many people, the only readily available printed material is in English.

Bob C. Cleckler, a retired chemical engineer, used engineering, educational, and linguistic logic to develop his breakthrough teaching method--proven effective in over 300 languages--and is prepared to discuss his findings on radio or television or in print. His book, Let's End Our Literacy Crisis, was published on July 4, 2005 by American University & Colleges Press, an imprint of American Book Publishing, for only $24.95. The website of Cleckler's nonprofit educational corporation, Literacy Research Associates, Inc., is http://www.literacy-research.com. This website gives a good introduction to a book which answers all reasonable objections to his breakthrough teaching method and provides proof of the seriousness of English illiteracy. A careful, honest reading of all of this amazing book (or at least the Preface and text (pp. 1-212) will prove its benefits to the reader.

Contact: Bob C. Cleckler, 877-473-2328 or 801-313-0610. Website: http://www.literacy-research.com

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