Survival Literacy Study.

This study by Louis Harris and Associates was designed to determine the percentage of Americans lacking the functional or practical reading skills necessary to survive in this country. A test on reading and filling out application forms indicated that from 4.3 million to 18.5 million Americans are functionally illiterate. The average range of functional illiteracy for rural dwellers was 4-16%; the percentage of city residents with functional illiteracy was 4-13%. Fewer persons residing in small towns and cities had difficulty reading forms and suburban residents filled out the forms most easily. The South had the highest range of functional illiteracy (4-15%), and people in the West tended to have fewer reading deficiencies than those in other areas. Practical literacy appears to decrease in direct proportion to income in the United States. The age group from 16 to 24 proved the most literate and the oldest (50 and over) were the most deficient in reading ability. Women had fewer deficiencies than men. The literacy range of immigrants to the United States was 7-16% compared to a range of 3-13% for the native-born. Reading ability increased in direct proportion to years of education. (RS)

Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.