Re: CHAT (POLITICS!!!): Putting the duh in Florida
| From: | John Cowan <jcowan@...> |
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| Date: | Monday, December 4, 2000, 15:32 |
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Irina Rempt wrote:
> > > Hmm. What *is* the literacy rate in the U.S., anyway? <looking around>
> >
> > About 89%, scandalously low for a First World nation.
>
> That's really scandalously low. The last figure I read for the
> Netherlands was 98%, not counting those 5-7% of people over fifteen
> who are functionally illiterate
Apparently I was overoptimistic. The definition of "literacy" is fuzzy,
and English spelling makes the matter harder, but it now seems like
23-25% of those over 15 are illiterate or only rudimentary literate
(they can read a few things), and another 30% are functionally illiterate.
--
There is / one art || John Cowan <jcowan@...>
no more / no less || http://www.reutershealth.com
to do / all things || http://www.ccil.org/~cowan
with art- / lessness \\ -- Piet Hein