It is a simple fact that phonics and early childhood
literacy come first before all other langue arts learning. There is serious cause for alarm there. But early childhood education while vital for
future success of each child, is only part of the illiteracy problem in
America.
According to the article from September 2013 published on
the Huffington post website (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/06/illiteracy-rate_n_3880355.html),
entitled “The U.S. Illiteracy Rate Hasn't Changed In 10 Years” 32 million adults or 14 percent of the
population are functionally illiterate. 63
million more can only read at a 5th grade level and 19 percent of
high school graduates can’t even read. Are
we ok with these statistics because at least most adults can read at a 5th
grade level? Is that good enough?
No matter what the
early childhood literacy advocates say, there needs to be more than just basic
literacy, if 93 plus million adults are reading at or below 5th
grade levels, this is clearly not just a early childhood literacy problem.
One way to approach the literacy gap is through following
the readers advisory method, particularly the Reading Rainbow approach through
an empowering peer to peer method for children is key. Starting a dialogue between all types of
readers especially peer to peer is another key to creating life long readers.
But even with all the efforts of all the literacy nonprofits, we have a long
way to go.
In terms of the detractors
from Levar Burton’s kickstarter campaign for fund a digital Reading Rainbow,
Burton tells it like it is “I believe that this is a world that was designed to
create opportunities for us to work together so that everybody’s needs get met.
And I genuinely believe if we had more economic cooperation as opposed to
competition, we’d be a lot better off as a society.” If the detractors from
Burtons Reading Rainbow kickstarter, actually did something themselves for
literacy (either donate time or donate money) then there would be less need for
bickering and there would be less of a literacy problem here in the States.
Here is further proof that the
digital reading rainbow will cross most digital platforms and will be available
in some needy schools.
Personally I am currently a
manager at a bookstore, those places that are for profit libraries. I see
nothing wrong with both making a profit and promoting literacy. There is no
inherent conflict between the two ideas of making money and helping families
read, in fact, if you think about it even libraries need to get money (grants)
you wouldn’t call public librarians money grabbers would you?
Today’s socially responsible business
practices are focused on improving the world while benefiting the company.
Socially responsible plans are an increasing part of the big business world.
And as a one store business I think we are doing our part by providing a
crucial missing piece of the Los Altos business scene as well as our community
outreach and how we have always been a community gathering spot not to mention
our collections for charities and donations to other charities. We are customer
and community oriented much the same way a library is.
The need for profit for all
companies (even not for profits have to bring in money somehow) does to make
profit making a bad thing. It is then what the company does with it’s profits
that is what needs to be investigated. This and then we have to look at the
business as a whole in all its parts before we can be fully accurate in our
perceptions. There is nothing wrong with reader advisory especially peer to
peer reading advisory, which is endlessly effective. And yes we need basic
literacy in early childhood education. These too need never be in conflict, neither
does the what some have called conflict between the for profit motive and working
towards literacy causes.
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