Who cares?

Reading

Reading skills – most life-effecting documents are written at a 12th grade reading level(Most Americans read at a 6th – 8th grade level)

Creative Problem solving – according to CNN this is one of the most sought after skills by potential employers(analyzing literature is linked to improving

creativity)Communication skills - this encompasses

speaking, listening, writing and reading.(ALL of these skills are linked to literacy)

I don’t care about English…nothing it teaches will help me in the “real world”

Actually14% of graduated

Americans have extreme difficulty comprehending basic literature at a 3rd grade level

50% of Americans are at what is considered a “low” level of literacy

Less than 15% of Americans are considered “proficient” readers

Fine, but if I graduate, I already know how to read…

Reading level requirements for entry-level jobs HIGHER than state tests and colleges according to the International Center for Leadership after evaluating on-the-job reading materials

TECHNICAL reading skills are a MUST Includes: context clues, structural analysis, vocabulary building,

recognizing patterns in a text, finding main idea and supporting details (according to the National Center for Vocational Study)

15 years ago, a 5th grade reading level was considered acceptable for an unskilled laborer; HOWEVER, skill demands have increased exponentially while literacy has declined! One in FOUR businesses reported reading comprehension a

problem with their employees in a study by Texas State.

Oh come on, how much do I really need to READ in the “real world”