‘Illiteracy: Slide Continues’

Marita Hernandez’s article (June 16), “Illiteracy: the Slide Continues,” really set me to thinking. How very sad that millions of Americans are labeled “functionally illiterate”--those unable to read and write well enough to function in a literate society.

They cannot read a job notice, a ballot or a street sign. They cannot write a check or address an envelope.

I can speak from firsthand experience. For the last 14-15 years I’ve been teaching voluntarily both to illiterates and English as a second language. It pains me, shocks me, when a pupil comes who can’t even hold a pencil to write script or even print--his arm tightens up so. I have to painstakingly try to get him relaxed enough to try to form the alphabet letters.

How has this happened to our own population--growing up right here in America, where the possibilities of education are all around? Are we too lax? Do we pass over children too quickly if they function more slowly?

One thing I do feel strongly is that the lower, elementary grades are the most important to set the future direction of the individual. In these grades, reading, writing, and basic arithmetic--the basic skills--are learned easily because the child is receptive to a greater degree than in later years.

So, it seems to me a decided concentration on elementary school subjects could bring about a higher standard of literacy. I observe in China and England, to just mention two countries, the rote system is employed until they learn--really get it into their system indelibly.

I went through the progressive education approach some years back. Did it work? Some say yes, others maybe, or no it didn’t.

Long ago, in my grammar school years, we really, really seemed to comprehend by going over and over easy reading, writing and arithmetic in easy stages from first to sixth grades. I was so proud when I first read “milk” on the blackboard. That was a “hard” word. My grammar-school years have set the foundation for years of enjoyment in reading, especially.

One thing, though, I’ve never stopped learning--trying to improve--classes, seminars--constant curiosity that never seems to stop for me. But, oh, how thankful that Los Angeles (my birthplace), has given me a good foundation from the public schools (17th Street School, Sentous Junior High, and Poly High). I wish the same for all the children growing up now--a strong basics program in the elementary grades.

LOIS ARENZ BERND

Los Angeles