Nearly Half of Detroit Illiterate

[Dusty]

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/05/...ers-cant-read/

DETROIT (WWJ) – According to a new report, 47 percent of Detroiters are ”functionally illiterate.” The alarming new statistics were released by the Detroit Regional Workforce Fund on Wednesday.

WWJ Newsradio 950 spoke with the Fund’s Director, Karen Tyler-Ruiz, who explained exactly what this means.

“Not able to fill out basic forms, for getting a job — those types of basic everyday (things). Reading a prescription; what’s on the bottle, how many you should take… just your basic everyday tasks,” she said.

“I don’t really know how they get by, but they do. Are they getting by well? Well, that’s another question,” Tyler-Ruiz said.

Some of the Detroit suburbs also have high numbers of functionally illiterate: 34 percent in Pontiac and 24 percent in Southfield.

“For other major urban areas, we are a little bit on the high side… We compare, slightly higher, to Washington D.C.’s urban population, in certain ZIP codes in Washington D.C. and in Cleveland,” she said.

Tyler-Ruiz said only 10 percent of those who can’t read have gotten any help to resolve it.

The report will be used to provide better training for local workers.

Bet the crime rate's real low, though...

[Dusty]

47%. Hmmm. Roughly the same percentage of the Country who voted Democrat in 2008.

[1stindoor]

Originally Posted by Dusty

Tyler-Ruiz said only 10 percent of those who can’t read have gotten any help to resolve it.

It could be because they used programs like "call 1-800-ABC-DEFG"
Or maybe I'm the only one that found that commercial ironic.

[PedOncoDoc]

I wonder how much of that 47% is due to a lack of basic understanding of the English language??? This would equate to functional illiteracy.

[1stindoor]

Originally Posted by PedOncoDoc

I wonder how much of that 47% is due to a lack of basic understadning of the English language??? This would equate to functional illiteracy.

...or a basic understanding of spelling?

Sorry...it was just too easy and I'm in a jovial mood.

[Roguish Lawyer]

and the Red Wings suck too

[PedOncoDoc]

Thank you gentlemen, may I have another?

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by PedOncoDoc

I wonder how much of that 47% is due to a lack of basic understaning of the English language??? This would equate to functional illiteracy.

...or to being too fucking lazy to learn anything?
...or to thinking it's "dumb" to be smart?
...or to having one parent who doesn't give a shit whether they go to school or sell crack?
...or being born with an IQ lower than squid nuts?
...or because they scare the fuck out of the educators?

It's everybody's fault but the individual. They're all victims of oppression.

[PedOncoDoc]

Originally Posted by Dusty

...or to being too fucking lazy to learn anything?
...or to thinking it's "dumb" to be smart?
...or to having one parent who doesn't give a shit whether they go to school or sell crack?
...or being born with an IQ lower than squid nuts?
...or because they scare the fuck out of the educators?

It's everybody's fault but the individual. They're all victims of oppression.

Agree with the above as serious problems. The low IQ is not a correctable problem. The others...potentially could be fixed, but I won't hold my breath while their holding their hand out.

Lack of effort to learn the language is right up there with the others. I know there are large Spanish-speaking and middle eastern populations in the area - many of whom can't speak/read a lick of English and don't care to learn.

[Roguish Lawyer]

Originally Posted by Dusty

...or to being too fucking lazy to learn anything?
...or to thinking it's "dumb" to be smart?
...or to having one parent who doesn't give a shit whether they go to school or sell crack?
...or being born with an IQ lower than squid nuts?
...or because they scare the fuck out of the educators?

It's everybody's fault but the individual. They're all victims of oppression.

If we ever meet, you are not paying for drinks.

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by PedOncoDoc

Agree with the above as serious problems. The low IQ is not a correctable problem.

Re:

http://www.iqtestexperts.com/iq-education.php

[PedOncoDoc]

Originally Posted by Dusty

Re:

http://www.iqtestexperts.com/iq-education.php

IQ test performance and the cognitive ability are two different things. There is no single method that is generally agreed upon with which to properly test the latter.

I can't find the reference, but there was a great article looking at IQ test performance between suburban and urban children. The urban children performed much more poorly on the test, but were much better trained at daily tasks (e.g. preparing their own meal and indepently performing other necessary tasks) which raised concerns about validity of the testing.

Another example: urban children typically are potty-trained earlier - in part because many poorer families put a lot of effort into this to save money on diapers.

[tonyz]

Originally Posted by Dusty

It's everybody's fault but the individual. They're all victims of oppression.

Bro, you are so out of touch...haven't you heard...it takes a village.

http://books.simonandschuster.com/It.../9781416540649

[1stindoor]

Originally Posted by PedOncoDoc

Thank you gentlemen, may I have another?

Sure...wait right here...

Originally Posted by PedOncoDoc

I wonder how much of that 47% is due to a lack of basic understaning of the English language??? This would equate to functional illiteracy.

I'd give you a "d" in spelling...but you (edited)probably wouldn't understand why.

[orion5]

Originally Posted by 1stindoor

[B]I'd give you a "d" in spelling...but you would probably wouldn't understand why.

Hey, anyone need any extra 'would'? 1stindoor seems to have a few extra lying around.

1stid: When you go home tonight to that little hot teacher you're married to, tell her you need some extra tutoring and discipline, ok?