#10. Literacy and Basic Skills 1999

Meredith Bellson 21 posts Aug 17, 2007 2:34 PM

#10. Literacy and Basic Skills 1999 NOTE: POST A MESSAGE TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS! WHEREAS, national statistics show adults with minimal or no reading and writing skills comprise 75 percent of the unemployed, one-third of the mothers receiving AFDC, 85 percent of the juveniles that appear in court, an estimated 60 percent of prison inmates, and nearly 40 percent of minority youth; and WHEREAS, 1.6 million Tennesseans (approximately 50 percent of the adult population) have less than a high school diploma, including one-half million adults having less than an 8th grade education; and WHEREAS, the inability to read negatively affects family life, the state's ability to compete in the national and international economy, and productivity and safety in the workplace; and WHEREAS, over one hundred local literacy programs of varying sizes, public and private, are now operating in the state; and WHEREAS, actions by the State of Tennessee to address the problems of illiteracy have included the development of literacy programs in all counties, the development of workplace literacy programs in numerous businesses, and the establishment of literacy programs in inner-city housing projects and apartments; and WHEREAS, the TN Families First Act recognizes the crucial importance of literacy skills to enable former AFDC recipients, now, Families First consumers, to acquire employment by providing education as a basic component; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that TCSW support the TN Department of Education and other appropriate organizations in advocating a comprehensive approach to literacy and basic skills education from the pre-school level through adult programs; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that TCSW explore additional ways to support and encourage a coordinated approach to persons whose literacy problems contribute to a variety of other problems.

TCSW

PO Box 291231, Nashville, TN  37229-1231

615-313-9980

Terri Lawson, Director