The Problem of Increasing Illiteracy Rates in the U.S.

I have recently completed a research paper that included the problem of illiteracy rates in the country.

As most know, across the country, literacy rates have dropped, as fewer and fewer people never learn to read or only have a basic reading level. According to an article in the USA Today (2009), U.S. Education Department has released a study, which found that 32 million adult Americans are unable to read basic text. We all know that literacy rates in the US have been dropping over the years. According to a recent study, by the U.S. Education Department, over 32 million adults are unable to read basic text in this country.

Why? With all the reading programs in this country, why are there still people who cannot read?

One of the most frustrating things for students to learn has been how to learn new vocabulary words and comprehending what they read. Traditional teachers tend to rely on students learning new vocabulary words through memorization via flashcards or repetitive drills; however, there is much more to this process.

In addition, secondary teachers cannot rely on students knowing how to read textbooks. No offense, to English and Reading teachers, but most students only know how to read are novels. When students are in subjects that use textbooks, such as Science, History, etc., students are lost at how to understand what the text is trying to explain. Of course, most textbooks are written at a high reading level and full of vocabulary terms, which make it more difficult to comprehend.