Literacy Falls for Graduates From College, Testing Finds

In summary, the National Assessment of Adult Literacy found that the average college graduate's literacy in English declined significantly over the past decade. The test also found steep declines in the English literacy of Hispanics in the United States, and significant increases among blacks and Asians. When the test was last administered, in 1992, 40 percent of the nation's college graduates scored at the proficient level, meaning that they were able to read lengthy, complex English texts and draw complicated inferences. But on the 2003 test, only 31 percent of the graduates demonstrated those high-level skills.
  • #1
Astronuc
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
2023 Award
21,870
6,271
This is troubling, since the state and federal governements like to tout their successes in education.

The average American college graduate's literacy in English declined significantly over the past decade, according to results of a nationwide test released yesterday.

The National Assessment of Adult Literacy, given in 2003 by the Department of Education, is the nation's most important test of how well adult Americans can read.

The test also found steep declines in the English literacy of Hispanics in the United States, and significant increases among blacks and Asians.

When the test was last administered, in 1992, 40 percent of the nation's college graduates scored at the proficient level, meaning that they were able to read lengthy, complex English texts and draw complicated inferences. But on the 2003 test, only 31 percent of the graduates demonstrated those high-level skills. There were 26.4 million college graduates.

The college graduates who in 2003 failed to demonstrate proficiency included 53 percent who scored at the intermediate level and 14 percent who scored at the basic level, meaning they could read and understand short, commonplace prose texts.

Three percent of college graduates who took the test in 2003, representing some 800,000 Americans, demonstrated "below basic" literacy, meaning that they could not perform more than the simplest skills, like locating easily identifiable information in short prose.

Grover J. Whitehurst, director of an institute within the Department of Education that helped to oversee the test, said he believed that the literacy of college graduates had dropped because a rising number of young Americans in recent years had spent their free time watching television and surfing the Internet.
NY Times, Dec 16, 2005
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Grover J. Whitehurst, director of an institute within the Department of Education that helped to oversee the test, said he believed that the literacy of college graduates had dropped because a rising number of young Americans in recent years had spent their free time watching television and surfing the Internet.
And the content of what people read or watch on television or the internet is irrelevant? If that isn't what he meant to say, I think they should correct it. And if it is what he meant to say, I'd sure like to hear the explanation. Sheesh, people can use television and the internet to improve their literacy. I wonder if they published a copy of that article on the internet. :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
  • #3
I think Whitehurst was thinking of 'reality TV' or sitcoms like 'Friends', rather than 'The Discovery Channel', 'National Geographic channel', or 'History Channel'. It does seem to be a gross generalization to simply blame falling literacy rates on TV and internet.

On the other hand, if people do not read, they will not improve ready comprehension.
 
  • #4
Troubling? Yes.

"... since the state and federal governements like to tout their successes in education." Most govt. "successes" are claimed for public schools --- college and university level education is funded to various degrees by fed. and state govts., but "accreditation" and rankings are "internally" generated by the "academic community." Even more bothersome.

"Credentials" have become a commodity in this country, and to an extent, globally; colleges and universities deal in these commodities for large cash rewards, and quality control went out the window long ago --- once administrators realized that flunking kids out cuts off the cash flow, the underwater basket weaving courses were added, the "Xyz Studies" majors (sociology and anthropology for the innumerate) were recognized, and campuses turned into giant day care centers.
 
  • #5
40 years ago, the graduate school I attended required reading proficiency in two foreign languages for the PhD degree - by passing fairly tough ETS exams. My department required me to pass German because at that time a lot of Botanical Literature was still in German.

All foreign language requirements were removed in 1980.

The dumbing down of curricula in the US is not new. My father took the equivalent of freshman analysis in the second year of high school in 1922...in New York City public schools. I still have his report card - B+. He also took Latin and Greek that year. He didn't get a B+ in those subjects. :D

The public schools here in New Mexico only offer AP calc to "acheivers", and then only as a 12th grader. There are no Latin or Greek courses anywhere in the public schools here, AFAIK. Only about 1 in 5 high schools here even has an AP calculus class offered. If a student attends a HS that does not offer the class, he/she is bussed across town.
 

What is the significance of the findings in "Literacy Falls for Graduates From College, Testing Finds"?

The findings in "Literacy Falls for Graduates From College, Testing Finds" are significant because they indicate a decline in literacy skills among college graduates. This is concerning as literacy is a fundamental skill necessary for success in many careers.

How was the study conducted?

The study was conducted by the National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education. The NAAL administered a literacy test to a nationally representative sample of individuals who had completed at least a bachelor's degree.

What were the specific results of the study?

The study found that the average literacy score for college graduates had declined significantly from the last time the test was administered in 2003. The proportion of college graduates performing at the highest levels of literacy also decreased, while the proportion of graduates performing at the lowest levels increased.

What factors may have contributed to the decline in literacy skills among college graduates?

The study did not identify specific factors that may have contributed to the decline in literacy skills among college graduates. However, some experts suggest that the increasing use of digital technology and social media may have played a role in the decline.

What can be done to address this issue?

To address the decline in literacy skills among college graduates, it is important for educators to prioritize the development of literacy skills in their curriculum. Additionally, individuals can take proactive steps to improve their own literacy skills, such as reading regularly and seeking out opportunities for continued learning and development.

Similar threads

Replies
27
Views
2K
  • General Discussion
Replies
24
Views
4K
  • STEM Career Guidance
Replies
5
Views
759
  • STEM Academic Advising
2
Replies
54
Views
4K
Replies
10
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • STEM Career Guidance
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • STEM Career Guidance
Replies
33
Views
1K
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
1
Views
879
Back
Top