So why should Oklahomans be concerned about literacy rates?
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Our state's economic future is tied to the skills and abilities of our citizens. Entrance
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Low literacy levels affect us all. There are economic reasons to be concerned. More than 20 percent of American adults read at or below the fifth grade level – far below the level needed to earn a living wage.We all pay for public assistance programs with our tax dollars. Forty-three percent of Americans with the lowest literacy levels live in poverty, 17 percent receive food stamps, and 70 percent have no job or a part-time job. Furthermore, nationally, 70 percent of prisoners scored in the lowest literacy levels of the National Adult Literacy Survey. A recent survey showed that the annual cost for housing an inmate at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary is more than tuition, room and board at the University of Oklahoma. Guess who pays for it? Low literacy impacts our safety. Individuals with limited reading skills may not be able to read warning labels on common household items and medicines. Oven cleaners, insecticides, and perscription drugs can become dangerous if used improperly. The inability to read safety manuals for machinery and appliances also poses risks if equipment is operated incorrectly. We all share the roads with people who can’t read the driver’s test questions or read posted signs for road work, for bridge out, and for detour. Low literacy skills impact our health. Oklahomans with limited reading abilities face many health-related obstacles. They have difficulty reading medicine labels, health brochures, and appointment slips. Filling out medical and insurance forms is overwhelming, and negotiating the heath care system is a daunting task. Most health education materials are printed beyond the reading levels of at least 20 percent of Oklahoma adults. Over- or under-medication, or taking the wrong medication, is always a possibility when an individual can not read the information included with even the most common over-the-counter medicine. People with limited literacy skills tend to need more medical attention. Three fourths of Americans with chronic physical or mental health problems scored in the lowest levels of the National Adult Literacy Survey. Adult illiteracy and inadequate education impacts the future of our children. Parents and caregivers who have reading problems do not read to their children, creating a cycle of illiteracy. Children's literacy levels are also strongly linked to the educational level of their parents, especially their mothers. Parental income and marital status are both important predictors of success in school, but neither is as significant as having a mother (or primary caregiver) who completed high school. Children of parents who are unemployed and have not completed high school are five times more likely to drop out than children of employed parents. Democracy depends on an informed and educated citizenry. Oklahomans with inadequate literacy skills are less likely to participate in the voting process. If a person can not read, it is difficult to register to vote, to research the issues and candidates, and to mark a ballot. The voice of an estimated 20 percent of Oklahoma’s voting population remains unheard. Is that important? In 1776, one vote decided that America’s official language would be English instead of German. One vote kept Aaron Burr, later charged with treason, from becoming elected in 1800. And one vote made Texas a part of the United States in 1845. Our fellow citizens are unable to realize their potential. When a person can’t read, they can not participate in a “print world”. Imagine not being able to read a newspaper, a good book, or a story to a child. What talents are we missing in our society because twenty percent of our adult citizens lack basic skills? When Oklahomans improve their reading skills, there is a higher likelihood that they will find better paying jobs. Higher pay means a reduced reliance on public assistance. A reduced need for public assistance means funds can be directed elsewhere. And, those who were collecting public assistance are now contributing tax dollars. Good, basic literacy
skills contribute to a happier, healthier, more productive, and
more positive life experience. All of our fellow Oklahomans deserve
no less.
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