I've lived here an entire year and a half and I've met hundreds of illiterates. Illiteracy is a rampant problem at our business where we have 350 employees. It didn't occur to us that illiterates would apply for jobs where it is necessary to read. We now have to screen for literacy upon hiring so as not to have to let them go after they are unable to read and follow a specification sheet.
As for the dropout rate here in the Bristol area, it IS 75%. I have no idea what it is in Campbell county. The children here have no intentions of finishing high school much less going on to college. Many are married by the age of 14 and it is accepted and considered normal for this area. Needless to say, my children are considered rather strange and are poked fun of since they have no intentions of "settling down and having babies" before they graduate college much less high school.
If you ever feel like time traveling, come to Bristol and stay awhile.
I think you are perhaps living some place you never wanted to live to start with maybe? I can take you into the poorest areas in this state {which is not the Tri-Cities area by any means} and even most all the kids there and a high percentage of adults can read and write. I can count on one hand the number of persons I have ever worked with in this state who could not read. I've worked in every place from nursing homes, 7-11's, some factory work on a temp basis, and yes even for a school system before. I am a retired milti-skilled trade professional BTW. By that I mean a strong work history in Industrial Electricity, HVAC, & refrigeration. But I wasn't above mopping a floor or for that matter digging graves by hand to put food on the table. Oh did I mention I also have a learning disability as well? C.A.P.D.
If you don't like living in Bristol or East Tennessee then I highly recommend Memphis as I hear the schools and government there is tops in the state :>} BTW show me the numbers you quote from official sources.
You don't know the area or the people. Saturn is in Tennessee and is relocating it's corporate head quarters here. Many Fortune 500 companies come to this state for our low taxes and work ethics. Very few leave except to go overseas. Even persons like Warren Buffett {sp} have sank a fortune into East Tennessee Companies with huge success. None complain about not having sufficent qualified workers apply for jobs. Right now the Tennessee job market is a workers market as far as plant work goes. If you don't like one job the place next door hires.
Never mind I've got the offical numbers for you. Bristol City Schools 9-12 grades. http://www.io.com/~jsm/nph-ap.cgi/http://www.k-12.state.tn.us/rptcrd04/system.asp?sysno=821&gobutton2.x=17&gobutton2.y=13 Not bad actually.
Grades 9-12: Additional Indicators
2003 2004 State Goals
Attendance 93.2% 91.8% 93%
Cohort Dropout 2.2% 8.8% 10%
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Graduation Rate What's this?
2004
Graduation Percent 82.2% State Goal 90%