We frequently hear critics argue that U.S. students can’t write well and that there is a “literacy crisis” in the U.S. What is the origin of these discourses? What do they have to do with immigration, national security, and economics? How does the notion that Americans can’t write drive the national push to test writing? Here we explore the history of writing and testing in the U.S., the “science” and technology of testing approaches, and how the rhetoric of assessment impacts the lives of Americans today.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Fighting illiteracy

I sometimes wonder what is out there for people who aren't literate. I have come to realize that there are organizations that are a source of hope and help. I have found a group called Literacy Incorporated. It's a non-profit organization on a mission to fight illiteracy across America. It reaches out to high school students all across the United States. From the Literacy Incorporated website, "Deborah LeBlanc, the founder of Literacy Inc., decided in 2005 to create an incentive-based program that would encourage America’s students to read—the LeBlanc Literacy Challenge. To participate in this annual Challenge, students must read two books, take an on-line quiz and submit a short essay." On the site is also a video with Deborah LeBlanc with more information about her goal to fight illiteracy in the United States. I just thought it would be interesting to point out that groups like these exist.

This is the website's link:

http://www.literacyinc.com/about.html

Also Literacy Incorporated Mission Statement:

"Literacy Inc.’s mission is to fight the growing rate of illiteracy in America’s teens. The tools we use to accomplish that mission are motivational speeches, free books, and the opportunity to win a college education and other prizes."

What is your take on this organization? Have you done anything like this?
Do you think we should adapt the ideas and strive to be volunteers to help students achieve all they can?
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1 comment:

Mya Poe said...

DId you click on the link for the LeBlanc challenge? It looks like a place to advertise Deborahg LeBlanc's books. Here's what Publishers Weekly says:

"In order to compete, participants must read LeBlanc's two recent novels, Grave Intent (2005) and A House Divided (June), then answer multiple-choice questions on her Website (theleblancchallenge.com). Those who answer all questions correctly move on to competing in an essay contest. Last year, 4,000 readers participated."

The winner gets $5,000.

How do you feel about this kind of literacy sponsorship?

March 2, 2011 at 9:21 PM

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