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Report: Nearly Half Of Detroiters Can’t Read

zimmer

zimmer

Educating the Ignorant
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DETROIT (WWJ) – According to a new report, 47 percent of Detroiters are ”functionally illiterate.” The alarming new statistics were released by the Detroit Regional Workforce Fund on Wednesday.

“Not able to fill out basic forms, for getting a job — those types of basic everyday (things). Reading a prescription; what’s on the bottle, how many you should take… just your basic everyday tasks,” she said.

Report: Nearly Half Of Detroiters Can’t Read « CBS Detroit
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The Report
http://cbsdetroit.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/basicskillsreport_final.pdf

I'll leave the commentary to others, then again... my bet is it's because the teachers aren't paid enough for their fabulous performance.

It can't get any worse, so why not try something different, radical... like vouchers and ridding the city of unionized teachers?

.
 
zimmer said:
The Report
http://cbsdetroit.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/basicskillsreport_final.pdf

I'll leave the commentary to others, then again... my bet is it's because the teachers aren't paid enough for their fabulous performance.

It can't get any worse, so why not try something different, radical... like vouchers and ridding the city of unionized teachers?

.
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Zimmer! You hit the nail on the head! We aren't paying their teachers enough. And it certainly has nothing to do with how the teachers teach. The students just aren't pickin' up what the teachers are puttin' down. They're all brilliant educators, highly motivated and, Lord knows, are able to motivate kids!! It's those damn students. It's their parents' faults. It's poverty. Of those two things we're certain. But it's absolutely positively not the fault of the teachers or the system. I'm glad you got that oh-so-right.

*sarcasm*
 
*shrug*

It's everyone's fault at the end of the day.

Learning to read is not too difficult. I had it down way before I ever set foot in a classroom.
 
TheBook said:
*shrug*

It's everyone's fault at the end of the day.

Learning to read is not too difficult. I had it down way before I ever set foot in a classroom.
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No... it is not everyone's fault. It's not a collective screwup of society as a whole.

There are reasons for this monumental failure to execute a simple task of education... literacy. Of course, when the state of failure of this magnitude is public, the comfortable thing is to try and spread the blame. WRONG.

It makes the problem worse.

Midwest Lib...
That is part of it too, and here again there are root causes for the decay of that segment of society.

Of course, the solution by some is even more government, which is what caused the damn problem to reach this extreme.

.
 
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Yes, clearly the reason kids can't read in detroit is purely because of communist unionists intent upon keeping a black liberation theologist in the white house

*head hits desk*

After watching an episode of Hard Core Pawn (yes Pawn not Porn) you'd understand perhaps a little bit why this number is as high as it is... :lol:

In all honesty, when its convenient, we blame the parents... when its inconvenient and we need to score cheap political points ITS THE UNIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All in all, how about we actually ask the kids what the problem is instead of being all "adult" (yeah right) and thinking we have the best answers.
 
Jetboogieman said:
Yes, clearly the reason kids can't read in detroit is purely because of communist unionists intent upon keeping a black liberation theologist in the white house

*head hits desk*

After watching an episode of Hard Core Pawn (yes Pawn not Porn) you'd understand perhaps a little bit why this number is as high as it is... :lol:

In all honesty, when its convenient, we blame the parents... when its inconvenient and we need to score cheap political points ITS THE UNIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All in all, how about we actually ask the kids what the problem is instead of being all "adult" (yeah right) and thinking we have the best answers.
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It is about unions, it is about parenting, and it is about government, and it is about (well intended perhaps but) destructive Left Wing influence on all three elements.

Why is it there was more personal responsibility, lower illiteracy and more stable families before government stuck its finger in their lives and tried to "help" them?

I wish I had Colin Powell's book from the early 90's at hand... as I recall he touched on this subject.

spud_meister said:
No, personal responsibility has nothing to do with this. :roll:
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Spud... Thank You.
With personal responsibility you do not need government.

.
 
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zimmer said:
Why is it there was more personal responsibility, lower illiteracy and more stable families before government stuck its finger in their lives and tried to "help" them?
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So government is to BLAME for high divorce rates and lack of personal responsibility...

I don't even know how your going to begin to explain that one to me. I look forward to the answer.

And as for literacy rates... it has been proven in countries with strict government control that you can get your population to a literacy rate of 99.9%...

I think the problem isn't "government" or "more government" or "big government"

these loose terms you cannot even begin to really explain what they mean...

and yes we can talk about standardized tests, but really that's a whole nother subject all together. Literacy isn't hard to teach people, especially basic literacy we're talking about in the OP. being able to sign basic forms...

There's a failure on so many levels and ultimately in the society in which they live. I have heard Detroit isn't exactly the easiest place to live.
 
Jetboogieman said:
So government is to BLAME for high divorce rates and lack of personal responsibility...
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I am pressed for time, but yes. Government creates incentives, and these incentives lead to decay. Powell hit on this in his book as well. The Ghettos are breeding grounds of irresponsibility and societal decay. They were government created with totally other intentions... and regardless where created... Paris or Stockholm, they brought the same results. Decay.

And as for literacy rates... it has been proven in countries with strict government control that you can get your population to a literacy rate of 99.9%...

I think the problem isn't "government" or "more government" or "big government"
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Of course you don't because you just advocated... we don't have enough government involvement!!!

What lacks is what Spud stated. Personal responsibility... of individuals like Teachers (eliminate their unions), Parents (reduce the influence of government in their lives concerning school choice and handouts) and students of a certain age (let them know it is a sink or swim proposition, that it is their choice because government is not going to be your Mommy... and things will change.

Personal responsibility and full flexibility for parents to choose and this decay will begin to reverse course.


There's a failure on so many levels and ultimately in the society in which they live. I have heard Detroit isn't exactly the easiest place to live.
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No **** Jackson, and why is there decay of such a monumental level? Government intrusion in people's lives... a key factor in eliminating personal responsibility.

As stated earlier... Thanks Spud... you nailed it, for with personal responsibility you greatly reduce, almost eliminate the need for government.

.
 
Big government...

Small government...

Your entire point erodes away when we simply go... how about we have a good government.

I'm not saying government has all the answers.

It's a difference in philosophy and purpose.

I see government as a medium, as a tool, that, WE, THE PEOPLE, use to pool our resources together to achieve a certain goal, whether that is health care for our fellow citizens and ourselves, or education to make sure our kids are competitive in a global economy...

"Personal Responsibility" doesn't build schools.

"Personal Responsibility" doesn't make sure that there's busses so kids can reach their schools in the morning, and get home safely in the afternoon.

"Personal Responsibility" Doesn't make sure that teachers aren't rapists and pedophiles

Personal Responsibility makes sure that their kids are doing their homework, attending class and getting the encouragement and help that they need to achieve the goals set out for them.

THAT's personal responsibility.
 
I will note that there are many factors involved. Having said that, there are some small things that can be done to improve reading outcomes. In my school district, some extra things that are done include:

1. Cross-disciplinary grading e.g., a student can do poorly in a history class if he/she cannot write clearly. In other words, grammar matters, not just in an English class and there is no escaping the consequences of bad writing.

2. Required regular reading of The New York Times with students being expected to be familiar with current events. The purpose is less about familiarity with current events--though I personally think such awareness is important for any competent citizen--than it is about exposing students intensively to decent writing.

3. Homework. Multiple hours of homework is given each night. There has been push back from some parents who, IMO, seem to think schools should be "parent-centered" rather than learning-centered. Some argue that children need a rest after school (really code words for doing other things than studying). Some complain that such workloads interfere with their own work schedules (parents shouldn't be micromanaging, so that complaint is baseless).

To make a long story short, it is no surprise that my school district in the suburbs of NYC is typically ranked in the top 100 nationwide. What happens in the classroom is part of the learning process. What happens outside is considered an extension of the learning process.
 
In other words, no matter how much money we throw at education, it still does not seem to have an impact. Another reason to dismantle the Dept of Education.
 
zimmer said:
The Report
http://cbsdetroit.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/basicskillsreport_final.pdf

I'll leave the commentary to others, then again... my bet is it's because the teachers aren't paid enough for their fabulous performance.

It can't get any worse, so why not try something different, radical... like vouchers and ridding the city of unionized teachers?

.
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You know the report the article is quoting, well firstly it isn't a report its really an article and promo based on another report which it doesn't source, but you know the one I'm talking about? Its suggestions are increased funding for teachers and english teaching programs...
 
Wiseone said:
You know the report the article is quoting, well firstly it isn't a report its really an article and promo based on another report which it doesn't source, but you know the one I'm talking about? Its suggestions are increased funding for teachers and english teaching programs...
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You have to...
It's really about
Read... :lol:
Communist Unions
Between the lines.
 
zimmer said:
The Report
http://cbsdetroit.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/basicskillsreport_final.pdf

I'll leave the commentary to others, then again... my bet is it's because the teachers aren't paid enough for their fabulous performance.

It can't get any worse, so why not try something different, radical... like vouchers and ridding the city of unionized teachers?

.
Click to expand...

Probably because there are public schools with unionized teachers who do just fine. How about... we deal with the actual problems?
 
There is no excuse for illiteracy. This report is talking about adults that can't fill out a job application, not kids in school. Of course they used to be kids in school that couldn't read, as there are likely many illiterate children at this time.

It sounds like they need more adult education classes in Detroit. Just because you can't read doesn't mean that you cannot learn to read now. The problem is that illiterate adults usually try to hide the fact out of embarrassment. Kind of like adults that can't swim.
 
Is there an ethnic component to this story?

It has been reported that the 8th graders of my generation was were equal to college graduates with an Associates degree today. I wish I knew that a long time ago I could have got my Masters degree two years sooner.

The Welfare system is geared to break up families as a way to keep minorities down. Look at the history and pay attention as you do and it will come to you.
 
It's even worse than you think it is.

Sex acts by Otis Mathis a terrible example to kids | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

I put this up so that you can see what kind of men lead the Detroit School District. The woman who wrote this is named Rochelle Riley, she is a columnist for the Detroit Free Press and is a died in the wool progressive. Notice the bit about halfway through the piece where she references the fact that not only was the man in question a pervert, he was also functionally illiterate....and he was the President of the school board!

I've lived in a lot of places in this country, and some of them are pretty screwed up (California and Massachusetts I'm looking at you), but I was born and raised in Detroit and I currently live here. As bad as a few other places are I swear to God that sometimes living in Detroit is like living in Bizarro land. Only in Detroit would this be tolerated.

I can't wait to move back to the DFW Metroplex.
 
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So, voucher schools in high crime and poverty neighborhoods will attract quality teachers how?

New School Now Hiring!!


Postion: Teacher

Location: Worst part of town

Pay: 70% of current salary + limited benefits

Bonus: 1 Free gunshot wound emergency room visit *or* $350 toward funeral.

Priority goes to candidates who can provide desks and chairs for classrooms.

​
 
zimmer said:
The Report
http://cbsdetroit.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/basicskillsreport_final.pdf

I'll leave the commentary to others, then again... my bet is it's because the teachers aren't paid enough for their fabulous performance.

It can't get any worse, so why not try something different, radical... like vouchers and ridding the city of unionized teachers?

.
Click to expand...

You would be wrong. However, any evidence this is the fault of teachers? In another thread, someone told me you guys are not blaming teachers. Was he wrong?
 
MaggieD said:
Zimmer! You hit the nail on the head! We aren't paying their teachers enough. And it certainly has nothing to do with how the teachers teach. The students just aren't pickin' up what the teachers are puttin' down. They're all brilliant educators, highly motivated and, Lord knows, are able to motivate kids!! It's those damn students. It's their parents' faults. It's poverty. Of those two things we're certain. But it's absolutely positively not the fault of the teachers or the system. I'm glad you got that oh-so-right.

*sarcasm*
Click to expand...

Again, any evidence that it is teachers or the union. We can all use sarcasm. I personally love good sarcasm, but as teacher at private schools do nothing different than they do at public schools, I would love to see actual evidence.
 
zimmer said:
The Report
http://cbsdetroit.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/basicskillsreport_final.pdf

I'll leave the commentary to others, then again... my bet is it's because the teachers aren't paid enough for their fabulous performance.

It can't get any worse, so why not try something different, radical... like vouchers and ridding the city of unionized teachers?

.
Click to expand...

I'm not a supporter of unions, but this issue goes far, far beyond bad schools. (Side note: even if we DID rid Detriot of unions in schools we'd still have budget problems, Michigan had the largest percentage decrease in population per the census...money is leaving that state as fast as possible)

Detroit has become about as close to my version of hell as possible. It is falling in on itself like an urban black hole. Manufacturing and distribution jobs left, and so did the money. Police cars are stolen, cops hesitate to patrol out of fear, and the city government is at a loss. The citizens are angry and desperate and beyond poor (for the most part). Schools and education are not high on the list up there right now.
 
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