world literacy: sustenance for the mind

World Literacy:World Literacy:Sustenance for the MindSustenance for the Mind

Overview, Statistics and Programs Overview, Statistics and Programs to Improve Literacy in the Worldto Improve Literacy in the World

The BasicsThe Basics

According to UNESCO statistics, almost a According to UNESCO statistics, almost a billion people in the world were billion people in the world were illiterateilliterate as as we entered the year 2000.we entered the year 2000.

Industrialized countries are learning that Industrialized countries are learning that low low levels of literacylevels of literacy can be just as troubling and can be just as troubling and sometimes more difficult to deal with, than sometimes more difficult to deal with, than illiteracy in developing countries.illiteracy in developing countries.

Statistics May Not Tell TheStatistics May Not Tell The Whole Story Whole Story

UNESCO relies on countries to report their UNESCO relies on countries to report their own literacy rates.own literacy rates.

Countries report literacy rates based on Countries report literacy rates based on national census data and self reporting by national census data and self reporting by their people.their people.

As a result, data are misleading and most As a result, data are misleading and most likely underestimate the nature and scope of likely underestimate the nature and scope of literacy problems.literacy problems.

Do School Programs Help?Do School Programs Help?

Neither increases in primary schooling nor Neither increases in primary schooling nor adult literacy programs have been very adult literacy programs have been very effective at reducing illiteracy effective at reducing illiteracy ratesrates..

While more people are learning to read, While more people are learning to read, gains are offset by the increase in gains are offset by the increase in population growth. population growth.

General Views of Literacy Rates General Views of Literacy Rates Mask Large InequalitiesMask Large Inequalities

The literacy rate among girls and women is The literacy rate among girls and women is much higher.much higher.

Marginalized, minority and indigenous Marginalized, minority and indigenous groups also have much higher rates of groups also have much higher rates of illiteracy.illiteracy.

Cultural issues have made universal primary schooling and increased adult literacy much harder to achieve than originally expected.

What is Literacy?What is Literacy?All of the Following Have Been Used to Define All of the Following Have Been Used to Define

Literacy:Literacy:

Being Able to Sign One’s NameBeing Able to Sign One’s Name Being able to read/write a simple sentence Being able to read/write a simple sentence

describing one’s daily activitiesdescribing one’s daily activities Being able to read and write (self-reported) Being able to read and write (self-reported) Being able to pass a written test of reading Being able to pass a written test of reading

comprehension at a level comparable to that comprehension at a level comparable to that achieved by an average student at grade 4achieved by an average student at grade 4

Being able to engage in all of those activities in Being able to engage in all of those activities in which literacy is required for effective functioning which literacy is required for effective functioning in his/her communityin his/her community

Present ViewPresent View

Generally, the present view of what Generally, the present view of what constitutes “literacy” is that it is dynamic. constitutes “literacy” is that it is dynamic. This view assumes that literacy should be This view assumes that literacy should be defined only within the country or culture, or defined only within the country or culture, or over time. over time.

Some definitions include numeracy and Some definitions include numeracy and problem solvingproblem solving..

Measuring LiteracyMeasuring Literacy

Direct Assessment—Direct Assessment—performance on a test performance on a test or on literacy tasks given by an examineror on literacy tasks given by an examiner

Indirect Assessment—Indirect Assessment—estimating literacy estimating literacy from information that is known to be from information that is known to be indirectly related to literacy, such as the indirectly related to literacy, such as the number of years of schooling.number of years of schooling.

Direct AssessmentDirect Assessment

To illustrate the complexity of measuring To illustrate the complexity of measuring literacy, complete the following 6 Tasks and literacy, complete the following 6 Tasks and ask yourself the questions that follow:ask yourself the questions that follow:

Note: Assume that the instructions are given verbally and Note: Assume that the instructions are given verbally and that each word is written on a separate card. If your native that each word is written on a separate card. If your native language is not English, assume these words are written or language is not English, assume these words are written or said in your own language.said in your own language.

Task 1Task 1

SAY EACH OF THESE WORDS:SAY EACH OF THESE WORDS:

bookbookwaterwatervotevotefive hundredsfive hundredscomputercomputerpoisonpoison

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

a.a. What aspect(s) or process(es) of literacy What aspect(s) or process(es) of literacy does the task (item) measure?does the task (item) measure?

b.b. How well does the task measure that How well does the task measure that aspect or process of literacy?aspect or process of literacy?

c.c. How important is it to measure that aspect How important is it to measure that aspect of literacy?of literacy?

d.d. What administration or scoring issues are What administration or scoring issues are involved?involved?

Task 2Task 2

A. HERE ARE SOME PICTURES. A. HERE ARE SOME PICTURES. WRITE WRITE A WORD THAT DESCRIBES OR A WORD THAT DESCRIBES OR MATCHES EACH ONE:MATCHES EACH ONE:

________________________ ____________ ____________

_______________ _____________________________ ______________

B. HERE ARE SOME PICTURES. B. HERE ARE SOME PICTURES. CIRCLECIRCLE THE WORD THAT FITS THE THE WORD THAT FITS THE PICTURE:PICTURE:

book bull readbook bull read

beard bird bearbeard bird bear

Note:Note:Assume that the instructions are given verbally, in addition to being writtenAssume that the instructions are given verbally, in addition to being written . .

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS





Task 3Task 3

Write a short sentence that describes what you Write a short sentence that describes what you do when you get up in the morning. do when you get up in the morning.

____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Note:Note:This task can be given orally or in written form. This task can be given orally or in written form.

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS





Task 4Task 4

A woman goes to the market to buy flour. She needs to A woman goes to the market to buy flour. She needs to bake bread for 4 people. She has twenty dollars. Each bake bread for 4 people. She has twenty dollars. Each package [kilogram] of flour costs 3 dollars. How many package [kilogram] of flour costs 3 dollars. How many packages [kilograms] can she buy? packages [kilograms] can she buy?

Answer: She can buy ________ packagesAnswer: She can buy ________ packages [kilograms] [kilograms]

Note:Note:This task can be given orally or in written form. This task can be given orally or in written form.

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS





Task 5Task 5Here is some text from a newspaper article. Underline (mark) the

sentence that tells what Ms. Chanin ate during the swim.

SWIMMER COMPLETES MANHATTAN MARATHONSWIMMER COMPLETES MANHATTAN MARATHONThe Associated PressThe Associated Press

NEW YORK – University of Maryland senior Stacy Chanin on Wednesday became the first person to swim three 28-mile laps around Manhattan. Chanin, 23, of Virginia, climbed out of the East River at 96th Street at 9:30 p.m. She began the swim at noon on Tuesday. A

Spokesman for the swimmer, Roy Brunett, said Chanin had kept her strength with “banana and honey” sandwiches, hot chocolate, lots of water and granola bars. Chanin had twice circled Manhattan before and trained for the new feat by swimming about 28.4 miles a week. (text truncated…)

Note: This task was used in the 1993 National Adult Literacy Survey in the United States. It appeared in the NALS report to illustrate a low-level “Prose Literacy” item. The original text looked the same as it looked in the newspaper, but it was longer; text here was cut to save space.

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS





Each task enables us to learn something about a Each task enables us to learn something about a different aspect of literacy. However, no single different aspect of literacy. However, no single task covers all aspects of literacy.task covers all aspects of literacy.

Ideally, we want to measure how well Ideally, we want to measure how well each citizeneach citizen in a country performs on a reliable and valid test of in a country performs on a reliable and valid test of literacy. Since this is not feasible, many countries literacy. Since this is not feasible, many countries use indirect measures, which are far less valid but use indirect measures, which are far less valid but have some logistical advantages.have some logistical advantages.

Indirect AssessmentIndirect Assessment

Self-Report Measures:Self-Report Measures:

Self report measures are based on Self report measures are based on information collected when citizens answer information collected when citizens answer simple questions about their skills as part of simple questions about their skills as part of a survey or a census. Here are some a survey or a census. Here are some examples:examples:

1. 1. Can you sign your name?Can you sign your name? (yes no don’t know) (yes no don’t know)

2.2. Can you read/write? (yes no don’t know)Can you read/write? (yes no don’t know)

3. 3. How well do you read?How well do you read? (very well quite well (very well quite well poorly not at all)poorly not at all)

4. 4. On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being poor and 5 being On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being poor and 5 being excellent, how would you rate your reading and excellent, how would you rate your reading and writing skills in [specify language]?writing skills in [specify language]?

5. 5. All things considered, are you satisfied or All things considered, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with your reading and writing skills in dissatisfied with your reading and writing skills in [specify language]?[specify language]? (yes no don’t know) (yes no don’t know)

6. 6. Are your reading skills adequate for your job?Are your reading skills adequate for your job? (yes no don’t know)(yes no don’t know)

7. 7. How many years did you study in school?How many years did you study in school?

Critique of Self-ReportingCritique of Self-ReportingSelf-reporting seems useful but there are serious Self-reporting seems useful but there are serious

limitations:limitations:

Definitions are unclear.Definitions are unclear. Averaging is difficult.Averaging is difficult. Respondents are asked to Respondents are asked to

summarize abilities over many situations because summarize abilities over many situations because functional abilities may vary between situations.functional abilities may vary between situations.

People overestimate.People overestimate. People tend to report higher People tend to report higher levels of literacy than their actual performance on levels of literacy than their actual performance on tests. Sometimes this is because they believe their tests. Sometimes this is because they believe their skills are adequate for the situation so they must skills are adequate for the situation so they must be literate.be literate.

Basic StatisticsBasic Statistics

As an introductory exercise regarding As an introductory exercise regarding literacy statistics, you will be presented with literacy statistics, you will be presented with a quiz consisting of five questions. Try to a quiz consisting of five questions. Try to answer each question.answer each question.

On the Answer Slide, you may learn On the Answer Slide, you may learn something new about literacy around the something new about literacy around the world, or about literacy statistics.world, or about literacy statistics.

1) Which of the following world regions in 1995 had the largest estimated number of adult illiterates (“adults” as defined by the United Nations, are individuals 15 years and over)?

___ Sub-Saharan Africa___ Sub-Saharan Africa___ Arab States/North Africa___ Arab States/North Africa___ Latin America/Caribbean___ Latin America/Caribbean___ Eastern Asia/Pacific___ Eastern Asia/Pacific___ Southern & Western Asia___ Southern & Western Asia___ More Developed Regions___ More Developed Regions___ Countries in Transition___ Countries in Transition

In 1995 In 1995 Southern & Western Asia had an estimated had an estimated 397 million adult illiterates (44.5% of the world’s 397 million adult illiterates (44.5% of the world’s 872 million adult illiterates). 872 million adult illiterates).

Sub-Saharan Africa:Sub-Saharan Africa: 135 million (126 million in 135 million (126 million in 2000)2000)

Arab States/North Africa:Arab States/North Africa: 65 million (67 million in 65 million (67 million in 2000)2000)

Latin America/Caribbean:Latin America/Caribbean: 41 million (39 million in 41 million (39 million in 2000)2000)

Eastern Asia/Pacific:Eastern Asia/Pacific: 208 million (185 million in 208 million (185 million in 2000)2000)

Southern/Western AsiaSouthern/Western Asia: 397 million (412 million in : 397 million (412 million in 2000)2000)

More Developed Regions and Countries in More Developed Regions and Countries in Transition:Transition: 18 million (15 million in 2000) 18 million (15 million in 2000)

2) Which of the countries below in 1995 had the largest estimated illiteracy rate (i.e., the largest percentage of adult illiterates)?

___ Nigeria___ Nigeria

___ Brazil___ Brazil

___ Egypt___ Egypt

___ India___ India

___ Sierra Leone___ Sierra Leone

___ Pakistan___ Pakistan

___ China___ China

In 1995, In 1995, Sierra Leone had an estimated adult had an estimated adult illiteracy rate of 68.6%. Here are the adult illiteracy rate of 68.6%. Here are the adult illiteracy rates for each country in 1995:illiteracy rates for each country in 1995:

Nigeria:Nigeria: 43.6% (36.0% in 2000) 43.6% (36.0% in 2000)Brazil:Brazil: 15.3% (13.1% in 2000) 15.3% (13.1% in 2000)Egypt:Egypt: 48.9% (44.7% in 2000) 48.9% (44.7% in 2000)

India:India: 46.7% (42.8% in 2000) 46.7% (42.8% in 2000)

Sierra Leone:Sierra Leone: 68.6% (2000 data not available) 68.6% (2000 data not available)Pakistan:Pakistan: 60.7% (56.8 in 2000) 60.7% (56.8 in 2000)China:China: 18.1% (14.8% in 2000) 18.1% (14.8% in 2000)

3) For the same seven countries as in number 2, which country in 1995 had the largest estimated number of adults who were illiterate?

___ Nigeria___ Nigeria

___ Brazil___ Brazil

___ Egypt___ Egypt

___ India___ India

___ Sierra Leone___ Sierra Leone

___ Pakistan___ Pakistan

___ China___ China

In 1995, In 1995, India had an estimated 280.1 million adult illiterates. had an estimated 280.1 million adult illiterates. Even though Sierra Leone had the highest illiteracy rate, it Even though Sierra Leone had the highest illiteracy rate, it has the lowest actual number of illiterate adults. China and has the lowest actual number of illiterate adults. China and India both had numbers of adult illiterates in the hundreds India both had numbers of adult illiterates in the hundreds of millions, yet China’s rate was much lower than India’s. of millions, yet China’s rate was much lower than India’s. This is because China has a larger population.This is because China has a larger population.

Nigeria:Nigeria: 12.1 million (22.5 million in 2000) 12.1 million (22.5 million in 2000)

Brazil:Brazil: 18.3 million (15.8 million in 2000) 18.3 million (15.8 million in 2000)

Egypt:Egypt: 18.95 million (19.6 million) 18.95 million (19.6 million)

India: 280.1 million (286.9 million in 2000): 280.1 million (286.9 million in 2000)

Sierra Leone:Sierra Leone: 1.7 million (2000 data not available) 1.7 million (2000 data not available)

Pakistan:Pakistan: 48.7 million (46.7 million in 2000) 48.7 million (46.7 million in 2000)

China:China: 166.2 million (141.9 million in 2000) 166.2 million (141.9 million in 2000)

4) Between 1970 and 2000, is/will the literacy situation around the work get/ting better, worse or not changing?

___ Better___ Better

___ Worse___ Worse

___ Not Changing___ Not Changing

Better…sort of.…sort of. The world’s The world’s illiteracy rate is illiteracy rate is droppingdropping, from 36.6% in 1970 to 20.3% in , from 36.6% in 1970 to 20.3% in 2000. However, the 2000. However, the number of illiterate number of illiterate adults has increasedadults has increased from 847 million in from 847 million in 1970 to 862.0 million in 2000. Because the 1970 to 862.0 million in 2000. Because the word’s population is growing rapidly, the word’s population is growing rapidly, the number of illiterate adults makes up a number of illiterate adults makes up a smaller percentage of the overall population. smaller percentage of the overall population. Thus, it is important to look at several Thus, it is important to look at several different statisticsdifferent statistics to get the full picture of to get the full picture of literacy situations around the world.literacy situations around the world.

5) What measure of literacy is being used by the United Nations when reporting the number (or rate) of illiterate adults in different countries around the world?

___ Name signing (you can sign your name).___ Name signing (you can sign your name).

___ Test score (you can answer 25% of ___ Test score (you can answer 25% of

questions correctly on a written test of questions correctly on a written test of

basic reading comprehension.basic reading comprehension.

___ Years of schooling (you have had 4 or ___ Years of schooling (you have had 4 or

more years of formal schooling.more years of formal schooling.

Years of schooling is the literacy measure is the literacy measure (or definition) in actual use. (or definition) in actual use. Statistics about Statistics about illiteracy reported by all nations are based illiteracy reported by all nations are based on this simple measure.on this simple measure. Though it is cheap Though it is cheap and the data is easy to obtain, it is and the data is easy to obtain, it is problematic.problematic. One of the limitations is that it One of the limitations is that it categorizes all people as either “literate” or categorizes all people as either “literate” or “illiterate” and ignores the fact that literacy is “illiterate” and ignores the fact that literacy is a continuum of complex abilities that must a continuum of complex abilities that must be evaluated in specific cultural or functional be evaluated in specific cultural or functional contexts to be accurate.contexts to be accurate.

Summary CommentsSummary CommentsMany issues are involved in understanding the

complexity of the literacy situation facing nations and people. Some of the issues illustrated include:

Any single statistic gives only a partial understanding of the Any single statistic gives only a partial understanding of the literacy situation of a specific nation.literacy situation of a specific nation.

Measures of literacy used in official publications have limitations and may underestimate the extent of illiteracy in many countries.

Consider the date of the data. UN and World Bank data are Consider the date of the data. UN and World Bank data are updated only every few years and some data will change updated only every few years and some data will change between reports.between reports.

Reported statistics are aggregated and may not fully reflect literacy levels of important subgroups (e.g., different language groups) in a nation.

Illiteracy RatesIlliteracy Ratesfor the US and Europefor the US and Europe

In In North AmericaNorth America, the Illiteracy rate in 2000 , the Illiteracy rate in 2000 was 6.9%, or 42 million people.was 6.9%, or 42 million people.

In In EuropeEurope, the illiteracy rate in 2000 was , the illiteracy rate in 2000 was 2.2% or 13 million people.2.2% or 13 million people.

Impact of IlliteracyImpact of Illiteracy

EconomicEconomic—literacy improves with education and —literacy improves with education and education results in higher income and job education results in higher income and job productivity.productivity.

SocialSocial—In industrialized countries, literacy results —In industrialized countries, literacy results in lower rates of incarceration or recidivism in in lower rates of incarceration or recidivism in prisons, welfare dependency and social prisons, welfare dependency and social disintegration. In developing countries, it can result disintegration. In developing countries, it can result in lower fertility rates, lower infant mortality rates in lower fertility rates, lower infant mortality rates and higher nutrition. Reduction in gender and higher nutrition. Reduction in gender disparities and racial/ethnic disparities can also be disparities and racial/ethnic disparities can also be shown.shown.

PoliticalPolitical—There is a long tradition of utilizing —There is a long tradition of utilizing literacy programs in general, and literacy literacy programs in general, and literacy campaigns in particular, as a way to achieve campaigns in particular, as a way to achieve political goals. These may include a greater political goals. These may include a greater sense of national unity or focusing on sense of national unity or focusing on literacy as a way to reach out to literacy as a way to reach out to disenfranchised people. The investment disenfranchised people. The investment often results in reduced social welfare costs often results in reduced social welfare costs and greater economic productivity.and greater economic productivity.

Perhaps the best reason to promote literacy Perhaps the best reason to promote literacy can be summed up by a quote from Cesar can be summed up by a quote from Cesar Chavez:Chavez:

“ “What is at stake is Human Dignity.”What is at stake is Human Dignity.”

Sources:Sources:

UNESCO Institute for Statistics, “Estimates UNESCO Institute for Statistics, “Estimates and Projections of Adult Illiteracy for and Projections of Adult Illiteracy for Population Aged 15 Years and Above, by Population Aged 15 Years and Above, by Country and by Gender 1970-2015Country and by Gender 1970-2015

International Literacy Explorer, located at International Literacy Explorer, located at www.literacyonline.orgwww.literacyonline.org

http://www.literacyonline.org/

world literacy: sustenance for the mind

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