Most US students not literate enough for complex tasks

Daily Times ^ | 1/21/06 | AP

[voletti]

WASHINGTON: More than half of students at four-year colleges in the United States - and at least 75 percent at two-year colleges - lack the literacy to handle complex, real-life tasks such as understanding credit card offers, a study found. The literacy study funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the first to target the skills of graduating students, finds that students fail to lock in key skills - no matter their field of study. The results cut across three types of literacy: analyzing news stories and other prose, understanding documents and having math skills needed for checkbooks or restaurant tips. Without “proficient” skills, or those needed to perform more complex tasks, students fall behind. They cannot interpret a table about exercise and blood pressure, understand the arguments of newspaper editorials, compare credit card offers with different interest rates and annual fees or summarize results of a survey about parental involvement in school. “It is kind of disturbing that a lot of folks are graduating with a degree and they’re not going to be able to do those things,” said Stephane Baldi, the study’s director at the American Institutes for Research, a behavioral and social science research organization. Most students at community colleges and four-year schools showed intermediate skills. That means they can do moderately challenging tasks, such as identifying a location on a map. There was brighter news. Overall, the average literacy of college students is significantly higher than that of adults across the nation. Study leaders said that was encouraging but not surprising, given that the spectrum of adults includes those with much less education.

[Clintonfatigued]

The public school system has never been good, but in the past homeschooling wasn't a feasible option. That's far from being the case now.

[MoochPooch]

From my own observations I concur. I think a college degree today is indicative of less acquisition of knowledge than a high school diploma 20 years ago.

I work at a college library, so I get to see firsthand the students' assigned readings. (I order the books for the courses.)

The literature they read in class (i.e. HUCKLEBERRY FINN, ANIMAL FARM, HAMLET) I had to read in high school. It made me wonder if some of these courses were remedial in nature. The papers they write look like something the average (not particularly gifted) ninth-grader 30 years ago would have written.

So yes, there is a dreadful decline. A college degree today would be equivalent to a high school diploma back then.

[Paulus Invictus]

But, but, but....we spent $10,000 on your education! Whatta waste!

[MoochPooch]

"If you want a degree, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library." --- Paul H. Gettles

Thanks. I just put this up on the bulletin board (I work at a college library). Maybe this will get the kids to read.

[Paulus Invictus]

Ooops! You've described my daughter! She has three degrees and has no job. Now she's trying for another as an expert in disaster control. She will not get a job from all that study either. Advice from old Dad did not enter her head during all this useless education. Mercy!

[MoochPooch]

every Kinko's in the city is filthy now with stoners kind of shuffling around behind the counter in a daze...

Tell me about it. I picked up this attitude while I was there to get a newsletter printed (which they screwed up). Maybe I wasn't young & cool enough.

[thoughtomator]

I hope you're not paying for that ridiculousness.

[MoochPooch]

The best Kinkos in NYC was on 34th and Madison. Although out of my way, I used them all the time. Now, they're as bad as all the rest.

That's the one I used. You're right, it has gone downhill.

Instead, I might try one of the private places.

[70times7]

I'm a professional writer and as the years go by more and more people think I'm some kind of genius for being able to put words to paper, that evoke feelings and emotions or biting satire that makes people think.

RO, AWK
...couldn't resist... ;-)

[durasell]

Let me know if you find a better place.

[Knute]

every Kinko's in the city is filthy now with stoners kind of shuffling around behind the counter in a daze...

Can't defend the entire company, but I have to "stand up proud" for the Glendale, WI store where my youngest daughter is project manager. She is a sharp young lady who bought her first house at the age of 24 and takes pride in the work she does at Kinko's to pay the bills. 2 year degree in Printing from the local tech college.

[MoochPooch]

I commend your daughter. Every store, fortunately, has its gems.

[Paulus Invictus]

Jut the first degree, not the rest. She is a very good scholar too, all As, but her choice of fields of study has been unfortunate. I heard todaay that she is nearly through with yet another MA thesis. Mercy!